One woman’s story can touch the lives of many.
As taken from a quote by the great Maya Angelo…”I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel………”
The vision of one courageous woman culminated on October 23, 2008 as hundreds of women who will never forget how they were made to feel, marched victoriously down the isles of the Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ with glaring smiles and tears of joy singing and swaying to one of the favorite gospel classics, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith”. These ladies weren’t just singing and marching to a song, but it was evident that these women had been continuously living and breathing the song that flowed from the depths of their hearts. The excitement was electrifying and contagious as they adorned their pink flower proudly signifying…I AM A SURVIVOR…. a breast cancer survivor. Women of all ages (early 20’s to 80’s) lined up in the order of their survival date and encouraged and inspired one another as well as the on-lookers as they cried, laughed, sang, and displayed courage and determination in every stride they took.
The event visionary, Ms. Anita Connors (a breast cancer survivor of 10 years) birthed the idea in 2006 to CELEBRATE those women who had SURVIVED this disease that has devastated and plagued so many lives and families, especially in the African-American community. Ms. Connors’ initial vision was limited to a day of pampering which would be followed by a worship service. However, God had other plans. With the support of Representative Dwight Evans, Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, Keystone Mercy, and Radio One, the event grew into the spectacular event witnessed on October 23, 2008. Well-known Gospel Artists caught the vision and participated in the event in support of the Breast Cancer Survivors. Look at God!!!
Under the umbrella of the George E. Thorne Development Center, Ms Connors with her daughter Kerri by her side (also a breast cancer survivor) began their quest. The kickoff meeting was held in July, with over 50 women and two men in attendance. A thought-provoking kickoff exercise, facilitated by Mrs. Carla Greene, began to change the thought pattern of the women as they began to engage in the planning of this event. The question was posed to the volunteers, in one word or phrase, give their thoughts on breast cancer and/or breast cancer survivors. From the discussion, positive thoughts emerged, i.e. courageous, strong, thankful, an example, etc. All were thoughts that brought encouragement to the volunteers present. Thus the committees were established, committee leads were assigned, monthly meeting dates scheduled, and planning went full force.