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March
By E. Bishop
The month of March symbolizes so much as we transition from winter to spring. I think I can speak for a great number of people that we all look forward to the rebirth and renewal that this season brings. We start to see crocuses and tulips peeking through the frozen ground just waiting to brighten our day knowing that spring and warmer weather is on its way. This entire month is also an important time to honor the achievements and contributions of women through the years. March 8 in particular is a dedicated day set aside to celebrate women.
Why the 8th?
Because, on March 8, 1857, a protest by hundreds of women in the New York City garment and textile factories starting protesting their harsh working conditions. Of course, it took many years before any real changes were made. But, across many cities in the U.S. and even worldwide, things began to slowly change for better working conditions and better pay for women. The slogan for Women’s Day is ‘empowered women, empower the world’ hopefully allowing women a stronger voice in society.
Maya Angelou (author, poet, activist) once said: “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” Another quote by an American author and activist, Alice Walker, suggests that believing you lack power can actually limit your ability to take action or make a change. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
Men, particularly white men, in general as a group, wield the most power, control the most resources in most societies, dominate work life through leadership roles, etc. The Norwegian Business School states that gender differences are often the differences in power. In an article I read from the World Economic Forum, it states that at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity. With current events, I see this year being extended way farther into the future.
How ironic is this?
Last year’s (2024) women’s day theme was “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” recognizing women who have dedicated their lives to promoting equity and diversity in all aspects of life. The International Theme 2024 was “Invest in Women. Accelerate progress.” Everyone needs to take a good look at how doing away with these principles can have a profound effect on the least fortunate among us. In my younger days working for a state agency that helped disabled individuals find jobs, I saw firsthand how discrimination played a part in their lives. Let’s don’t go backwards.
“Moving Forward, together, Women Educating and Inspiring Generations” is the 2025, March 8 theme with the international day theme being ‘Accelerate Actions.’
Let’s go forward, women and men collectively, to keep the momentum for equality in all aspects of our lives. Wear these colors in the month of March to show your support: Purple which symbolizes dignity, honor, justice, royalty to the cause; Green that represents hope, growth and new beginnings; and White signifying equality, freedom, purity and truth.

Slave Cemetery
Dedication at Center
By Linda H. Barnette
My family connection with Center Methodist Church goes back several generations. It was at Joel Penry’s home that a group of people met in 1830 and who in 1833 were deeded 2 acres of land for what became the church. My Penry and Dwiggins ancestors were among the first members and trustees of the church.
My great-grandfather, William Joel Franklin Dwiggins, who lived on Church Street, had the little leather class book that was used in the early days of the church, and he left it to my grandmother, Blanche Dwiggins Smith, who eventually gave it to the church in 1980 as part of the 150th anniversary celebration.
I saw the book many times and knew that it was a treasured possession of Mama’s. The first entry was made in 1836 and contained the names of the trustees, and in 1844 a list of all of the church members was included. Slaves were also members of many early churches, including Center, and their names were also in the book.
Many years later, in October of 1998, thanks to a gift from church members, the Women of the Church marked the old slave cemetery with a stone angel and benches. A special service was held during the Sunday service to dedicate the cemetery, and Dorothy Graham was the guest speaker.
Although the individual graves are not marked, the names were taken from the little leather book previously mentioned. Names were listed as Frost’s Moses, Penry’s Parthenia, and Dwiggins’s Malisa, Wilson, and Rachael.
It is thought that the last burial there was George Frost in 1896. His granddaughters, Agnes Hampton and Louise Ijames, were Mr. Frost’s grandchildren and attended the dedication.
I think that was a very nice thing to do.