The Troy United Women’s League will celebrate 30 years of service to the extended Troy community at its annual League Banquet Saturday night at the Trojan Center Ballrooms on the campus of Troy University.

Shelia Jackson, TUWL member, said the banquet is held annually to celebrate the club’s continuing service to the community and to recognize community leaders who are making a difference through their unselfish and dedicated service to others.

“This year, the TUWL will honor nine Distinguished Guests who are committed to our community and work tirelessly to make their world a better place to live, work and play,” Jackson said.

Annie Jewel Anderson Blair, Frank Wheeler, Courtney Cephas-Bass, Mary Mahone, Alvin Sankey, Leo Forbish, Willie Diggs, Haley Jackson and Sharron Flowers will be the honored Distinguished Guests.

Jackson said the TUWL will also recognize club members who are celebrating 30 years of membership in the service organization. As founding members of the TUWL, Shelia Deveridge, Octavia Jones and Catherine Jordan have provided leadership that has helped carry the TUWL forward for three decades.    

Charles Sankey, Jr. will be the guest speaker for the TUWL’s 30th Annual Banquet.

Sankey is a native of Pike County and a graduate of Goshen High School. He furthered his education at Wallace College, Auburn University, and the University of South Alabama Banking School. He is employed by First Citizens Bank in Luverne as a loan officer.

Sankey is a Crenshaw County Commissioner where he is African American chair and a board member of the Local Government Health Insurance Board.

He was called to pastoral duties at Rock West Missionary Baptist Church in Goshen in 2005. 

Jackson said Sankey’s pastoral experience over the past 13 years has allowed him to become a widespread spiritual and career motivator to many young people.

“We are extremely proud to have Rev. Sankey as our keynote speaker,” she said. “We know that he will inspire us to even greater service and more dedicated servant-ship.”

The TUWL is actively involved in the extended Troy community and is continually looking for ways to contribute.

“The TUWL awards annual scholarships to graduates of high school throughout the country,” said Lee Scott, TUWL president. “We support to Upward Bound and athletic, band and other programs at local schools when there is a need. We provide support to the Troy Public Library, the Troy Arts Council, Colley Complex and Troy Nutrition Center. In the community, we deliver Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to families in need. We help families that are dealing with cancer and other illnesses. Just anywhere there is a need, we try to help. We are here for our community.”

The 2018 Troy United Women’s League membership is led by Scott as president; Mary McBridge, vice president; Ucella Jones, secretary; Octavia Jones, financial advisor; Debra Frazier, treasurer; and Marilyn Harvey, chaplain. TUWL members are Sylvia Davis, Shelia Deveridge, Mary Griffin, Reatha Griffin, Sharon Holland, Shelia Jackson, Catherine Jordan, Ramona McClure, Gwen Mosley, Sherion Newby, Bernice Parker, Cynthia Parker, Vicki Robinson, Doristine Sankey, Deborah Smith and Carolyn Tuck.

The TUWL Annual Banquet is the league’s only fundraiser. Annual membership dues and donations to individual projects make it possible to extended the TUWL’s altruism throughout the community.

Available tickets for the TUWL 30th Annual Banquet are limited to about 20. Those interested in acquiring a ticket may call 372-7191 or 670-2585.