Les Soeurs Club Crowns Three Resilient Women

By Jennifer L. Warren

HOPEWELL JUNCTION – Kenya Gadsden took a deep breath, looked out to the attentive crowd and proudly affirmed the sentiment that encapsulated the afternoon’s message.

“I feel like I’m earning my crown,” said Gadsden, who then queried how many felt like they have attained that prized, symbolic piece. “It would not be a crown if there was not a journey involved.”

Gadsden, Vice President of Beacon’s Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club as well as the Mistress of Ceremonies for Saturday’s 75th Annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon and clad in the Club’s purple colors, was also alluding to the lofty, esteemed status that defined the event’s three honorees and their amazing paths. Carrying the theme “Crowned in Resilience,” the Scholarship Luncheon lies at the heart of the civic-minded organization referred to as a “Sisterhood,” which has played a dynamic role in the rich history of the City of Beacon.

“Resilience is not just what we endure, but how we rise, trusting that God is ordering our steps and crowning our perseverance with grace,” said Shaniesha Strange, President of the Les Soeurs Amiables Club, about this year’s theme, linked to its mission: “The end crowns the work.”

Prior to the crowning presentation of the three women who possess that precious resilience attribute, using it to positively uplift their communities, Keynote Speaker, Jessica Turner, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Poughkeepsie City School District, delivered potent words, also revolving around resilience, its elusive-powerful essence and resounding impact.

“What I love about the Les Soeurs is the palpable essence of their true sisterhood; it’s something I immediately noticed when I went to one of their meetings; there was a heated energy and a love of people to lift up, something we all need,” said Turner who elaborated upon her own challenging journey resulting in treasured-empowering resilience. “The work the Les Soeurs do- as well as so many others- is so important, as we never know who we are lifting up; “Lifting as we Climb,” is not just a motto of this group but a way of life.” Turner added, “The people we are honoring embody the work.”

Introduced by Gadsden as someone who “believes in the power of community,” Lastar Gorton was the recipient of the Crowned in Courage Award. A 2002 Beacon High School graduate who has enjoyed an over 17 year career in the mental health, non-profit field, Gorton is the Co-founder of Growing and Empowering My Sisters, Inc.- aimed at educating, empowering and mentoring young women-as well as Beacon City Councilperson.

“I honestly don’t see myself as courageous, just as one who truly tries to advocate for others,” said the humbled Gorton, who praised her mother and blessed upbringing as a key piece of her proud journey. “Everything I do is about setting an example for others; a life of service is a life worth living.”

Also receiving her crown was Lavonne McNair, recipient of the Beulah B. Jackson Education Award. A former 11 year Board member of I Am Beacon, who remains an active contributor to its Annual Back to School Block Party and I Run Beacon 5K, McNair is a Beacon City School District Board member as well as the organizer of the In the Water Classic Basketball Tournament, merging talented high school basketball players with the mentorship of pro athletes.

“This is receiving a challenge as much as an honor; the woman whose name carries the award means a great deal,” McNair said about Beulah Jackson, someone who has deeply inspired her life path. “Service, purpose and legacy; my mom taught me everything I know about these. McNair continued, “Thank you mom; your lessons did not fall on empty ground; let’s keep going, not for awards, but there is still so much work left to do.”

The final honoree, Reverend Dr. Anesta Vannoy, is doing all she can to carry that work torch. Receiving the highly esteemed Olga Galloway President’s Award (named after the Les Soeurs Founder and Organizer,) Vannoy, a now retired teacher in the New York City School System where she devotedly worked for over 30 years, was received into Ordained Minister in 2019, is a Silver Life Member of the NAACP, and involved in an array of local organizations, including the Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club. Introduced by Gadsden as someone who “Walks everywhere and “We are safe because she has all the equipment in her bags,” Vannoy was further characterized as someone brimming with energy and possessing a huge heart.

“The Polio vaccine developer, Jonas Salt, was credited with saying, ‘Our greatest responsibility is to be great ancestors,’” Vannoy said. “The money from this event will go toward scholarships for deserving, young people and that financial support has the potential of not only changing one life, but generations of lives.”

The uplifting afternoon, also featuring musical entertainment and a raffle, further included each attendee receiving a miniature crown, a reminder of its prized presence in his or her life or another worthy of its stature.