hold annual banquet this weekend

By AMY S. LANSDON

News Editor

Twelve years ago during the celebration of the Alabama reunion, Catherine Williams organized a group of women to help people in the community.

The group she created is the Troy United Women’s League, and since its inception have assisted young and old, able and disabled.

"Everyone was doing something the year of the Alabama Reunion," said Catherine Jordan, current president of the Troy United Women’s League. "We held our first banquet that year and we have continued to grow since then."

Saturday night, Feb. 26 the Troy United Women’s League will hold its 12th annual banquet in celebration of Black History Month. A sell-out crowd of more than 500 people will attend the annual banquet held at the Troy State University ballroom.

"The banquet brings local businesses, community, friends and family together," Jordan said. "We try to bring someone from the community back home as the speaker, and try to spotlight local people who have made contributions to the community. We also choose a senior citizen who has made a difference in the lives of people in the community.

This year the Rev. Dr. Karnie C. Smith will be the guest speaker. Smith is the former pastor of the Greater St. Paul AME Church, and is currently the pastor of the St. John AME Church in Birmingham.

Congressman John Lewis was the first speaker at the Troy United Women’s League banquet, and has been the featured speaker the fifth year and the 10th year. Williams said she expects he will be the speaker at each fifth year anniversary of the banquet.

The banquet is held each February in conjunction with Black History Month, and is the only fund-raiser of the year for the club.

Being the only fund-raiser of the year, the members of the Troy United Women’s League depend on the money raised to be able to serve the community. With the money earned from the banquet the group tries to promote programs for youth, elderly, and people in need.