If you thought celebrating women was over after March 31, think again. Thanks to Sherri Darden, publisher of SCOOP USA Media, she recently learned that the month of April has been designated as International Black Women’s History Month, and she shared that fact with me.
A woman by the name of Sha Battle established April as International Black Women’s History Month in 2016 in the city of Atlanta to uplift and support the achievements of Black and minority women and build understanding and awareness of the contributions of Black women to the world. International Black Women’s History Month should be recognized in our classrooms, offices, churches, and digital spaces worldwide. Black women are worthy of being celebrated.
Now that I know the month of April has been designated as International Black Women’s History Month, going forward, as long as I continue to be a writer, I will remind folk every year that April is the month to celebrate Black women worldwide.
The 9th annual Women of Excellence Awards luncheon takes place on April 12, 2025, sponsored by local radio station WDAS/FM. This year’s award recipients include television talk show host and comedian Sherri Shepherd, Dr. Beverly Coleman, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Lalah Hathaway, Dr. Dorothy Johnson Speight, and Aziza Shuler. Each of these distinguished ladies is deserving of the honor.
At the end of the month of April this year, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Pennsylvania Chapter, Inc. will host their 39th annual Madam C.J. Walker Awards luncheon at the Downtown Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel at 17th and Race Streets.
The Madam C.J. Walker Scholarship and Awards Luncheon is one of the Delaware Valley’s most distinguished events, dedicated to honoring the remarkable achievements of African American women and young ladies. Since its inception in 1986, the Pennsylvania Chapter has proudly celebrated women who demonstrate exceptional leadership and excellence in their respective fields. This year marks the 39th anniversary, and event organizers say they are excited to continue this legacy of empowerment and recognition.
This luncheon offers a unique opportunity to connect with and celebrate the trailblazing women shaping the future of our region. Beyond the celebration, this event plays a vital role in investing in the futures of women and young girls. Each year, the organization awards over $15,000 in scholarships to deserving women pursuing higher education—whether they are entering college for the first time or returning to complete their degrees.
The event also honors Madam C.J. Walker’s legacy as America’s first self-made millionaire, celebrating her contributions as an entrepreneur and philanthropist who paved the way for generations of women to come. In her honor, four prestigious awards will be presented to women who exemplify the organization’s four core areas of focus: Education, Health & Wellness, Economic Empowerment, and Public Policy.
Supporting this event, contributes directly to the organization’s mission to empower women and girls through four core pillars:
Economic Empowerment: Programs like “SisterNomics$” focus on financial literacy, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, investment, debt reduction, homeownership, and wealth building.
Health & Wellness: Sponsorships help fund HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C testing during National Black HIV/AIDS Day (February) and World AIDS Day (December). Workshops address critical health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, mental health, nutrition, maternal mortality, human trafficking, and more. Sickle cell disease awareness and blood drives are also key initiatives.
Public Policy & Community Affairs: The NCBW-PA advocates for public policy changes that positively impact Black women and girls, promoting equitable access to resources and amplifying community voices.
Education: NCBW-PA provides mentorship to young girls, helping them develop leadership skills and confidence. Members actively visit schools to engage students and offer guidance in academic and career success. Each year, the organization awards over $15,000 in scholarships to women pursuing higher education, empowering them to achieve their academic and professional goals.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Pennsylvania Chapter was founded in 1981. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. began with 42 pioneering members sworn in by 1982. Today, the chapter boasts over 180 talented members from diverse professions, united in their commitment to being a voice and force for gender equity and socio-political advancement. The organization’s mission is to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls, promoting leadership development and gender equity in the areas of economic empowerment, education, and health.
As we celebrate International Black Women’s Month, all throughout the month of April, let us remember to celebrate Black women right here in front of us, who are doing good work, who are making sister magic work, and who believe in women lifting each other up and nurturing each other along the way.
As we wait to learn who the winners of the 2025 Madam C.J. Walker Awards will be and who the scholarship award recipients will be, we cheer all women on, worldwide and remind them, that we can reach the stars and help a few others along the way on our journey to get there. Winners of awards during the Madam CJ Walker Awards luncheon are never revealed until the day of the event, lending suspense and surprise to the occasion.
Nyisha Chapman is the current president of the National Coalition 100 Black Women, PA Chapter, Inc. Sylvia G. Webster was the first president of the Pennsylvania Chapter and Mrs. Webster is still very active with the organization today.
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