Queens Recognize Queens

The New Haven Metropolitan Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women hosted a gathering of queens to recognize five women who have lifted their communities through their work in business, health, education and public policy.

The occasion was the organization’s inaugural Candace Awards, which Chapter President Valencia Goodridge told the crowd was named after the honorific title given to queens of Ethiopia.

The NCBW 100 advocates on behalf of black women and girls, promoting leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment, according to its mission statement.

Taking as its theme, ​“The Queen in me, honors the Queen in you,” luncheon attendees from the New Haven and Bridgeport communities turned out Saturday in their finest royal, African-inspired ensembles and headwraps to pay homage to Samantha Myers-Galberth and Sylvia ​“Pat” Jackson of New Haven’s Style 2000 Hair Salon, State Sen. Marylin Moore, Bridgeport Public Schools Superintendent Aresta Johnson, and Dixwell Alder Jeanette Morrison.

Goodridge said that each woman were ​“distinguished leaders…moving the needle toward a better society.”

“More specifically,” she said, ​“these leaders are true advocates.”

Attendees also got an additional boost in their day from guest speaker Mikki Taylor, the editor-at-large of Essence magazine. Taylor, whose third book Editor in Chic just debuted in May, received the inaugural Madam C.J. Walker award from the chapter Saturday.

Taylor made it a point to deliver a message for the ​“queens” in the room encouraging them to know their value, treasuring their vision space, honoring their temple by lovingly saying ​“no,” and establishing a celebration circle of friends who can cheer each other on. She also encouraged the women to be the authority on who they are as individuals by making sure they know themselves and what they stand for.

“Queens don’t settle for mediocrity,” she said.