Fifty women, including the mayor’s wife, Eula Battle, attended an elegant UNCF First Ladies Tea on National Philanthropy Day, November 15, atop the beautiful Ledges of Huntsville.  The women—and some men—representing churches from all over the city including St. Johns AME, Trinity United Methodist, First Missionary Baptist, Oakwood University Church, and others were greeted with corsages and escorted into the ball room amidst the melodic sounds of harpist, Shushanna Smith.  The menu included clotted cream, cucumber tea sandwiches, and roasted chicken salad tarts.

The Huntsville/Madison County pastors’ wives had a chance to sit and enjoy one another’s company and as they sipped Russian spice tea.  The ladies were asked to bring their favorite family teacup and don their favorite hat for the occasion, which made for an interesting exchange of stories. First Ladies Tea Chair Rosa Kilpatrick, UNCF Area Director Walvid King, Community Foundation Executive Director Lynne Berry, and UNCF scholarship recipient, Jeremy Jordan, shared their remarks. Each guest left with a UNCF fan as a memento.

Verizon Wireless sponsored the event, and Emma’s Tea Room donated chocolate truffles designed especially for the occasion.  Gift Basket Expressions and Albert’s Flowers donated door prizes.  Other surprises included a phone from Verizon Wireless and a gift certificate for Emma’s Tea Room for four new faith friends.

In keeping with the "Building Bridges to Opportunity” theme for the North Alabama UNCF campaign, the event was an effort to cultivate a partnership with the Faith Community to create opportunities for more people to earn a college degree.  The Tea was a chance to honor and appreciate our local pastors’ wives for their philanthropic service to the community, encourage relationships, increase the faith community’s awareness about the UNCF, and inspire the women to build a coalition for the purpose of improving the lives of others through education.

Article submitted by Cheri Wilson, associate director for Advancement and Development at Oakwood University.