Thanks to all those who came out to support our Anniversary event on June 7th and 8th. Despite the rain on Saturday, we had a good turnout and everyone had a great time. Thanks to our guest speaker, alumna, Sophie Gibson, who shared her experiences at Queens and how it shaped her into the person she is today. The church service at Hillside Presbyterian on Sunday was also well attended with special thanks to VP Sarah Vaughan, who brought a wonderful message to the assembled group.
Thanks,
Heather Potter, President
Queen’s Alumnae Atlanta Chapter
President's Welcome Address
Hello and welcome to the Queen’s Alumnae Atlanta Chapter’s 25th Anniversary celebration. For those of you who may not know, my name is Heather Potter and I am the current President of the Chapter (truth be told, I’m not sure how long I’ve been President). However, this celebration of 25 years has been one of endurance and not a lot of organizations here in Atlanta can boast this longevity. I am very thankful and grateful for the small group of ladies who gathered those 25 years ago with the will to get this Chapter started. Most of the ladies are still here with us today – ladies, please stand and be recognized! Thank you!
Not going to lie, it has been a struggle and sometimes very discouraging as a small group of us over the years have tried to keep the Chapter alive and look for others to take the reins of leadership. The current Board of Sarah Vaughan, VP, Leslyn Weekes, Treasurer and Francene Simmonds, Secretary have been here in one role or the other over the years and I’m very thankful and grateful to have them with me for the last couple of years as we continue to steer the Chapter into the future. Ladies, thank you for hanging in there with me.
I am thankful also for all our Chapter members and guests who have joined us here today for this special celebration. Many of you have been with us through this journey as we’ve each supported our organizations here in Atlanta in many ways. To our brother school – Calabar and the President of the Old Boys Association, David Anderson – thank you. A special thanks to Aneeke Brown, the Jamaica Chapter President, who made the trip to be here to help us celebrate as well. Thanks to our friend and supporter Gail Dunwell for helping us with getting the venue. Also thanks to our keynote speaker Sophie Gibson, a Chapter member, who will speak to you about her journey to being a rockstar at the height of her profession.
So from the bottom of my heart I again say a huge thanks for coming here this evening to celebrate our 25th. I told the ladies last year that we have to celebrate this milestone this year! No matter what, our Chapter has made an impact on the students at our Alma Mater over the years and I have always felt very strongly that we need to give back to the school, that no matter what, good or bad, the school helped form us into the human beings we are today. To whom much is given, much is expected and that can we said also for how one lives our lives each day. As always I give God thanks for the strength to push forward, no matter what the challenges are, no matter what the road blocks are thrown up in the path, as we keep God before us, we can do anything!
Thanks again for being here and please enjoy the light program and libations provided to you by Tanya Rennals. Don’t forget to join us tomorrow at Hillside Presbyterian Church on Columbia Drive at 11:00am as we give God thanks and worship and fellowship in the celebration of our 25th anniversary. Thank you!
I ask your indulgence a little more as I ask Aneeke to come up and give us a quick greeting from the Jamaica Chapter and the school. After this we will have our own Sharon Bryant Grant bring the invocation.
