salute to first ladies

O’NEIL D. SWANSON

addresses the audience during ‘Salute to First Ladies.’

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 24-30, 2010 Page B-2

First lady Lanell Branch with husband Pastor E.L. Branch of Third

New Hope Baptist Church. —Photos by JN Studios

Excerpts from O’Neil D. Swanson’s opening remarks

We have come together to recognize

some phenomenal women, who are excep- tional leaders in the church. These women are heroes to young women all over this com- munity.

They have set the bar high for the next

generation of spiritual guardians. As I stand here before you, I can imagine

many of the Biblical women of old. Women like Eve, the wife of Adam, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Miriam, the sister of Moses.

I can see them filled with the Holy Spirit,

smiling down on this program today, saying some heroes are about to be recognized.

When God needed a mother for David,

he chose Bathsheba. When God needed a judge, he chose Deborah. When God needed a queen, he chose Esther.

I can imagine these women gathered in

the upper room, filled with the Holy Spirit, smiling down on this event today, saying some heroes are about to be recognized.

I can envision the freedom fighters of

old, like Fannie Lou Hamer, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. I can see them standing in a circle, singing ‘We Shall Overcome,’ smiling down on this event today, saying some heroes are about to be recog-

nized. Then, I can see Jesus Christ the King of

Kings and Lord of Lords, standing on top of the world in his majestic state, gazing across the seven seas and smiling down on this event today, saying some heroes are about to be recognized.

Our honorees today possess the cool,

calm character of Coretta Scott King, the melodious musical skills of Marian Anderson. the strong, serene sophistication of Sarah Vaughan. The optimistic openmindedness of Oprah Winfrey. The bad, bodacious brilliance of Barbara Jordan. The joyous jubilation of Aretha Franklin. The calculating courageous charm of Condoleezza Rice. The rational righ- teousness of Rosa Parks. The daring dynamic diligence of Diahann Carroll and the marvel- ous mystical magic of Maya Angelou.

Today we celebrate their greatness. We

celebrate their brilliance. We celebrate their beauty. We celebrate their leadership. We cel- ebrate their intellect. We celebrate their spiri- tuality. And we celebrate their fear of God.

Thank you for coming and may God bless you.

Larry Callahan & Selected of God sing during brunch.

Dynamic speaker Dr. Malinda Sapp, ad- ministrative pastor and first lady of Light- house Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, brings remarks. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36