“The song is ended but the melody lingers on,” begin the lyrics of an old standard tune that best describe my unforgettable luncheon meeting sponsored by the Roanoke Women’s Foundation (RWF) at the charming Maridor Bed & Breakfast on Grandin Road in old Southwest. Luncheon speaker for the occasion was the incomparable Dr. Johnetta B. Cole, renowned educator, humanitarian and president emerita of both Spellman and Bennett Colleges. She also is a former professor of Emory & Henry.
Never having had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dr. Cole, I was highly honored when ushered to the table where I was to sit with her, never dreaming that upon entering she would actually come and sit beside me after first introducing herself. The instant mutual magnetism was electric and for a brief time we both seemed oblivious to the fact that others had joined us at the table. With lifestyles so diametrically opposed, the common denominator between us was staggering–as if meeting a “soul mate” face to face for the first (and in all probability last) time. I had hoped to see her again later that evening at Hollins College where she was scheduled to speak but a previously engaged meeting would not allow it. However I feel that I can go a long way on the energy generated by her during our brief encounter.
Dr. Cole’s address to the Foundation members and guests was electrifying, challenging and laced with humor and simple logic. Her philanthropic career also includes serving as first woman elected to the Coca-Cola Enterprises board, as board chair of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and first Black chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of United Way of America, the national organization that oversees 1,400 local United Way agencies. The far-reaching effects of her illustrious lifetime of dedication to higher education for Black youth in particular, coupled with her historic humanitarian work will become more evident with time.
“A $2,000 Contribution Can Have a $1,000,000 Impact,” is a slogan of The Roanoke Women’s Foundation (RWF), a philanthropic organization based on a model started in Seattle, WA in 1995 and subsequently put into action in 18 cities around the country.
The RWF was established to provide women an avenue to become leaders in charitable collaborative giving, in response to respective community needs.
Subsequently grants totaling $170,000 were awarded at the luncheon to the recipients as follows: $30,000 each to Project Access, and the Community Youth Program at St. John’s Episcopal Church; $40,000 to Family Service of Roanoke Valley and $70,000 to Apple Ridge Farm.
How evident are becoming the Baha’i Scriptures which emphatically state that women will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration as “…mental alertness, intuition and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in which women are strong, are gaining ascendancy.”
