SALISBURY — The Salisbury-Rowan Women in NAACP (WIN) Committee hosted its annual Women’s Empowerment Brunch, bringing together women of all ages in an effort inspire and uplift one another, on Saturday, Sept. 14. The event, held at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, showed attendees proudly wearing various shades of purple, celebrating unity and strength.

“This event reminds us all of the importance of the WIN Committee’s mission to advocate for women and children and enhance the role of women in leadership,” said Courtney Sawyer-Smith, chair of the WIN Committee. “The power we have when we come together to support one another. The energy in the room was amazing, and I’m excited to see how the women and men who attended will carry this momentum forward in their personal and professional lives.”

Rhonda Sherrill served as the mistress of ceremony, guiding attendees through the program. Peyton Weaks, a senior Rowan County homeschool student working toward her associate’s degree at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, kicked off the event with a heartfelt welcome to all attendees. Following her was Azaria Jones, a student at RCCC, who moved the audience with her poem titled “Hold on girl, hold on.”

Rev. Deborah Johnson then led the invocation, blessing the gathering with hope and encouragement. Courtney Sawyer-Smith then thanked WIN members Linda Black and Kaisha Brown for their efforts in planning the event followed by a call to action, urging women to join them in the movement.

“We need your voice, your passion, and your talents,” Smith said. “Joining us isn’t just about being part of a group, it’s about making a difference.”

The highlight of the brunch was the keynote speech by Roshonda Hawkins, lead pastor and co-founder of Promise City Church. She encouraged women to share their personal stories to empower others. 

“It takes faith to share your story, but don’t let fear stop you,” Hawkins said. Sharing your story is how you inspire and uplift others.”