A Shining Celebration: Women's History Month at Quinn Chapel A.M.E., March 2026
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
28 March 2026
"𝒮𝓉𝓇𝑒𝓃𝑔𝓉𝒽 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑜𝓃𝑜𝓇 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔: 𝓈𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓇𝑒𝒿𝑜𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒. 𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓃𝓈 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓂𝑜𝓊𝓉𝒽 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓌𝒾𝓈𝒹𝑜𝓂, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝑜𝓃𝑔𝓊𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓌 𝑜𝒻 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒹𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈."
Topic: Women's Day Community Event, 8 May 2026
Atlantic Highlands, NJ - The Women's History Month Celebration at Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church in Atlantic Highlands was more than a service—it was a testament to faith, perseverance, and the enduring power of women. This annual March observance, celebrated across nations, took on particular poignancy in 2026 against the backdrop of rising food and gas prices, the heartbreak of over 300,000 Black women losing their jobs to the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" under President-elect Trump, and the ongoing war in Iran, where Americans—women and men alike—risk their lives daily. It's enough to make even the bravest soul sigh into their morning coffee. Yet, within the walls of Quinn Chapel, hope and dignity bloomed anew.
With graceful leadership from Reverend Faith E. Mack, M.Div., M.Ed., Pastor and Itinerant Elder, and the careful coordination of Sister Chawnette O'Neal and Sister Cassandra Keyes, the Women's Day Service on March 8th unfolded with purpose and love. Their efforts, bathed in prayer and planning, created a space where the spirit of Proverbs 31 was not just recited, but lived. Proverbs 31:25-26 KJV - Strength and honour are her clothing; - Bible Gateway
This year's shining guest was Rev. Yedea Walker, Associate Minister at Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Trenton, NJ, and Associate Dean of Student Life at Princeton Theological Seminary. Rev. Walker's roots run deep, tracing back to Little Rock, Arkansas, and her remarkable academic journey—from Little Rock Central High School to Grambling State University, the University of Arkansas, Howard University School of Law, and finally, Princeton Theological Seminary—brought wisdom and depth to her message. Her sermon was a clarion call to remember the strength of Black women in the church, to honor the fruit borne out of ancestral suffering, and to value the unity and perseverance that have broken chains for generations. She reminded us not to trivialize the unity that set us free, even as we wrestle with today's challenges. Little Rock Central High School | Education | Research Starters | EBSCO Research
Rev. Walker spoke candidly about the struggles facing women today, particularly Black women whose self-esteem and economic security have been under siege. Yet, she pointed to the spiritual resilience that emerges in hardship, and the sacred task of building communities that nurture and protect Black children. Her references to Freedom School advocates like Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Marian Wright Edelman brought history alive, reminding us that our struggle is not new—but neither is our strength.
The celebration was further enriched by the musical offerings of Karen Brittingham-Edmond and her adult children, whose heartfelt renditions of traditional songs moved the congregation. Among the visitors, a woman in a regal purple hat adorned with pearls caught the eye—a living tribute to the Harriet Tubman Purple Hat Society, Inc., founded in Staten Island in 2007, with Laurine Melville as the current president of the auxiliary. Her presence was a gentle reminder of the generations of women who have led by example, faith, and style. The Harriet Tubman Purple Hat Society Inc. - Home
When all was said and done, the service was a beautiful tapestry of praise, gratitude, and remembrance. Rev. Walker, together with Rev. Mack, honored the event's coordinators, visiting churches, and the congregation, where with Rev. Yedea Walker, Associate Minister at Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Trenton, NJ, closed the service with joy and reverence. Light refreshments—including Sister Georgette's famous baked goods—added sweetness to the day, while each woman received an "Inspirational Journal" and a copy of The Sanctuary for Lent 2026, guiding hearts from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.
In times as turbulent as these, the words of Proverbs 31 shine brighter than ever: strength and honor are our clothing, wisdom our language, kindness our law. We honor Almighty God, Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, and all those who labor in love, ensuring that our children grow to honor and respect their elders. May we rejoice in time to come, knowing that our unity is our freedom and our faith is our future.
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