Allen Temple AME Church Atlanta Women's Seaon 2020 Journal by Susan Buckson

Coming Together to Celebrate, to Share, and to Inspire Vickie Thomas, Chairperson Annabella Wright, Co-Chairperson Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson, Pastor

Virtual reality provides individual immersive learning perspectives while presenting students with experiences they might not otherwise be able to explore. These experiences can be delivered in the form of a “virtual field trip” – where students are part of a 360-degree landscape by viewing films show with virtual reality cameras – or through immersion within a computer generated environment that takes them to places that are normally unreachable like Outer Space, inside the the Human Body, and ancient or prehistoric times.

We love to see people enjoying the amazing, fun and entertaining worlds that VR enables.

Greetings! Thank you for sharing with us throughout our Women’s Season. What an absolutely wonderful time we have had celebrating, sharing and inspiring people of God throughout our time together. To God be all the Glory! COVID-19 has shifted us in mind, body, and spirit over the past seven months. We have seen God’s hand of love and mercy, but we have also seen what it means to “be still and know that (God) is God.” Rightly so, many have been apprehensive about gathering—but we gathered virtually. Many have been apprehensive about giving—but we gave generously. Many have been isolating—but we connected spiritually. Many have been skeptical—but we trusted intentionally. We did so, because we know that we forever serve a God who is faithful. I am so excited about the leadership of our Women’s Season Chairperson, Sis. Victoria Thomas, who tookthe challenge of moving forward despite the limitations imposed by a global pandemic and recognized that there is nothing too hard for God. Because of her determination, we have transitioned to new levels of engagement using technology. I am equally grateful to our Co-chairperson, Sis. Annabella Wright for her visioning. As the convenor of our Women’s Season Prayer Breakfast, she provided an inspirational gathering that brought women and men of all ages together. To these to phenomenal women and the entire Women’s Season team—Thank you! It is my prayer that beyond this day, we will continue to celebrate, share, and be inspired by the continued blessings of God. I praise God for every step of this journey and I look forward to what more God has in store.

Susan H. Buckson Pastor

Susan H. Buckson, DMin

Greetings Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church Family! I greet you today in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your 2020 Women’s Day Chairperson. The women of Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church have been a long standing outreach ministry for over 154-years. The women of this great church have served as trailblazers through the decades. As we continue to build a legacy of strong women in faith who are committed to help support the development and achievement of goals for our congregation. We have continued the work by Coming Togther to Celebrate, Share and Inspire to hold our First Virtual Women’s Season. Our focus was to remain in fellowship while those in the state of Georgia and across the globe were sheltering in place as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was imperative that we kept our minds focused on God and uplifting our surrounding communities. One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 60:4: “Lift up thine eyes round about and see; all they gather themselves together, they come to thee, thy sons shall come on from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.” It is important that we press to keep bringing women, men, boys, and girls together to love and to serve with fortitudeke. Let's keep on keeping on. Throughout this journey it would not have been possible without you. Thank you for your support financially and your heart warming prayers. CLICK HERE

Sister Vickie Lynn Thomas Chairperson Women’s Day Celebration 2020

for a video message from our Chariperson

Greetings Allen Temple Family and Friends, It is with the joy of Jesus that I humbly share my reflections of Women’s Day 2020. When I agreed to be the Co-Chair of Women’s Day I never imagined that we would be experiencing it as a Virtual Church. I never could have fathomed the Linen Luncheon or Prayer Breakfast complete with games and prizes online. “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man – the things which God has prepared for those who love Him(1 Corinthians 2:9).” What a wonderful feast of fellowship God provided for both of these events. Sis. Vicki Thomas is a wonderful leader and it has been my pleasure to serve as her Co-Chair for this Women’s Day. We had many long conversations where we shared and inspired each other along this journey. It is with a song in my heart that we celebrate the Women of Allen today in all their glory. Thank you Pastor Buckson for keeping us on track as we sometimes strayed under these unsual circumstances. Thank you to the entire ministerial staff for your support. Thank you members and friends of Allen Temple who stuck with us as we strived to bring you the best that we had to offer. Finally, beloved I say our time together is not ending but only beginning as I take the reigns as your future Chairperson. I look forward to an unforgettable journey with you. The best is yet to come,

Annabella M. Wright

y M I am

s r o t s e c n A Acts 22:6

We must " address our trauma! " Stephanie Franklin, Esq.

CLICK HERE to learn more about A.C.E.S. trauma

STEPHANIE S. FRANKLIN, ESQ. THE FRANKLIN LAW GROUP, P.C. PRESIDENT & CEO

The Gathering

Stephanie S. Franklin, Esq. is the President & CEO of the Franklin Law Group, P.C., a child advocacy law firm located in Baltimore, Maryland who advocates for the human right to safety, development, and well-being for abused and neglected children across the state of Maryland for over 13.5 years. Ms. Franklin has dedicated her life’s work to social justice advocacy – primarily focused on Black people who are descendants of captive and enslaved Africans in the U.S. (DCAUS). In her 21 years working with children and youth as an attorney, she has litigated numerous cases in the juvenile courts and represents children in the appellate courts. She is credited for being the first to raise the issue of the over-use of psychotropic drugs on African-American girls in foster care at the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland – leading to the UN’s Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) treaty body mandating that the United States collect and shae data on the rate that psychotropic drugs are being administered to Black children in foster care. She hosted and produced a radio show focused on social justice and human rights issues, and has been awarded the Top 100 Women and Leadership in Law awards from the Maryland Daily Record.

O n a I am

r e m o c r e v 1 John 5:5

But she " didn't quit though! " Dr. Chantrise Holliman

DR. CHANTRISE SIMS HOLLIMAN PRAYER BREAKFAST SPEAKER

Raised in Newton, Massachusetts Dr. Chantrise Sims Holliman is the only child of two former educators who instilled in her a love of learning and the tenacity to see things through no matter the challenge. Anyone who knows her, knows she is forever “Disturbing the Universe,” challenging us to realize, “when you are thinking outside the box, you are thinking too small!” With her book Teach Stay Love: A Reflective Journal to Help You Stay in the Profession You Love, becoming a co-author with The Girlfriend Code: Breakthrough Edition, and her latest book SHOES WITHOUT FEET: A Journey of Strength Hope Obstacles Encouragement & Success, she continues to educate and encourage others to don’t be afraid to walk in your purpose, whether you have legs or not! Through her fight with Lupus and struggles with becoming an amputee, Dr. Holliman inspires us to keep moving despite obstacles we face. She turns tragedy into triumph and impacts the world by showing us excuses only benefit those who make them and our purpose is to touch the lives of people other than ourselves. An award-winning educator, Dr. Holliman has been recognized nationally as a Finalist for The Fishman Prize, locally as a winner of The Teach On Project for Excellence in Education (formally, Atlanta Families Award for Excellence in Education), and she is a much sought after speaker and professional development facilitator. Recently, Dr. Holliman has been featured in the South Fulton Lifestyle Magazine and VoyageATL where she discusses how she has taken her recent journey to becoming a bilateral amputee and used it to inspire and encourage. Her most recent accomplishment was becoming a featured speaker on a TEDx Stage in Metro Atlanta where she spoke on the topic: Cognitive Flexibility: How Flexible Thinking Can Save Your Life. Dr. Holliman earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Bentley University, her Master of Education in English Education from Georgia State University, and her Doctor of Education in School Improvement with a Focus on Emotional Intelligence from The University of West Georgia. Finally, Dr. Holliman is the proud wife of Rev. CJ Holliman, Pastor of New Grant Chapel AME Church in East Point, GA, the biggest cheerleader for her 22-year-old daughter, Astede Jahannes and the “Bonus Mom” to Kaleb, Hannah, and Chris (RIH). She is also the owner of Disturb the Universe, LLC and the Founder of Disrupt xEL, a business focused on providing quality professional development and motivational workshops to a variety of organizations as well as a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).

t s a f k a re B r e Pray

Order of Service Call to Worship Sis. Vickie Thomas Ancestreal Invocation Sis.Alfredene Benton Scripture I Romans 12:9-21 Ambe Comeaux Sowing Sis. Annabella Wright Litany Sis. Roselyn Lancette Tiffany Mackey Worship Through Song Women's Season Chorale Introduction of Speaker Sis.Vickie Thomas Morning Motivator

The Honorable Fatima El-Amin Invitation to Discipleship Remarks Sis. Vickie Thomas Women's Season Chairperson Sis. Annabella Wright Women's Season Co-Chairperson Benediction Rev. Dr. Susan Buckson

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A Women s Day Litany By Roselyn Lancette 2020 Leader: Dear God, we pause to give thanks and gratitude for the women of Allen Temple A.M.E. church and women everywhere. People: Dear Lord, we give thanks. Leader: Dear Lord, for women like Bishop Vashti McKenzie and Dr. Susan H. Buckston who are ministers and teachers of your word, People: We give thanks for their Christian love, faith, and service. Leader: For courageous black women like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King, who fought against racial injustice, inequality, and fought for the right to vote, People: Dear Lord, we give thanks for their faith and service. Leader: For strong, energetic black women like Michelle Obama, who was the first African American First Lady of the United States, for black women like Tarana Burke, founder of the “Me Too “ movement, and Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, co-founders of “Black Lives Matter”, People: Dear Lord, we give thanks for their strength and courage. Leader: For women, who with a loving spirit are caregivers, mothers or acting as mothers, let us remember them. People: Dear Lord, we give thanks for their love, faith, and service. Leader: Let us recognize black women like Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Pearl Cleage who shared their talent through poetry, books, plays, and film, People: Dear God, we give thanks for their love and talent. Leader: For black women like Judith Jamison, Phylicia Rashad, Debbie Allen, and Jasmine Guy who have told their stories through dance, music, television and theater, People: Dear Lord, we give thanks for their love and talent. All: Dear God, we are grateful for all women and especially for courageous, strong, faithful, beautiful black women who have made a difference in this world.

e c i t s u J m a I Micah 6:8

Invest in self-care!" Judge Fatima A. El-Amin

CLICK HERE to here Judge ElAmin's Women's Day Message

THE HONORABLE FATIMAH EL-AMIN JUDGE OF DEKALB COUNTY JUVENILE COURT

Judge Fatima A. El-Amin is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She attended W. D. Mohammed High School in DeKalb County and graduated as Co-Valedictorian of her class. Judge ElAmin completed her collegiate studies at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and graduated cum laude with a dual B.A. degree in Psychology and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Her senior honors thesis titled, “The Hijab: Investigating the Relationship between Traditional Islamic Dress and Self-Esteem among African-American Muslim Women,” received Magna Cum Laude distinction at Harvard. Judge El-Amin returned to Atlanta, Georgia, and received her J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law in 2000. She was the recipient of the Emory Law School Dean’s Public Service Award. Judge El-Amin’s legal career began as an Assistant District Attorney in DeKalb County. She prosecuted adult and juvenile offenders in the Superior Court and Juvenile Court divisions of the District Attorney’s Office. She also worked in the Condemnations and White Collar Crime divisions of the office. As an appellate attorney in the D.A.’s office, Judge El-Amin tendered briefs and oral arguments before both the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals. In 2004, Judge El-Amin joined a private real estate practice in East Point, Georgia, and represented clients in commercial property disputes. A year later, Judge El-Amin returned to public interest law as a Senior Attorney in the DeKalb County Child Advocacy Center. She was promptly promoted to Supervising Attorney and was responsible for overseeing litigation and advocacy efforts on behalf of abused and neglected child-clients. In April 2014, the Superior Court Judges of DeKalb County appointed Judge El-Amin as a full Juvenile Court Judge. Judge El-Amin presides over hundreds of dependency, delinquent, and traffic cases in Juvenile Court. She sits, by designation, in DeKalb County Superior Court. Judge El-Amin is active in several civic and philanthropic causes. She is the founder and program coordinator of Crowned, an intensive weekly seminar for girls and women, dedicated to affirming and creating positive self-images. Judge El-Amin was the 2018 recipient of the NAACP DeKalb Thurgood Marshall Award. She is a former Associate Legal Producer of a nationally-syndicated court television program, and a former co-host of “The Circle”, a local cable television program highlighting the perspectives and contributions of leading women in Atlanta. She is a member of the Gate City Bar Association, Leadership DeKalb, the DeKalb Bar Association, the Council for Juvenile Court Judges, the DeKalb Lawyers Association, and GABWA (the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys). Judge El-Amin’s greatest accomplishment is raising her amazing son.

Pacesetters Bro. Henry Adams* Sis. Louise Adams# Sis. Ruth Lyles Bailey& Sis. Alfredene Benton^ Sis. Alycia Benton& Sis. Alyson Benton^ Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson# Sis. Ethel Calloway# Sis. Deborah Campbell^ Bro. Charles Clark# Dr. Johnny Clark* Sis. Cynthia Wyatt Cody* Bro. Raymond B. Cody* Sis. Joycelyn Morns Coleman# Sis. Iolau Collins^ Sis. Nikisha Douglas& Bro. James Paul Harris^ Bro. Ahmad Heard& Bro. Anwar Heard& Sis. Toyeka Heard& Sis Roslayn L. Heard# Sis. Inez Jackson^ Sis. Victoria W. Jenkins# Sis. Helen Johnson& Sis. Queen Jones^ Sis. Elizabeth Ladson* Sis. Roselyn Lancette* Sis. Mattie Matthews#

** Platinum

* Gold

Sis. Irene Morns# Sis. Esteller Phillips# Sis. Linda Pierce& Bro. Henry J. Porter** Sis. Mary Powell^ Sis. Roslyn Render& Bro. Linwood Riley& Sis. Merlyne Schley# Sis. Mildred S. Sellers# Sis. Myra Johnson Scott* Sis. Goldine Shaw^ Sis. Darnetta Simulton* Sis. Constance Smith# Sis. Natasha McClure Smith& Sis. Willene White Smith# Rev. Avis Snearl^ Sis. Ernestine Stephens** Sis. Laura P. Stephens# Sis. Sharon Stewart& Sis. Doris Stroud# Sis. Dorothy Swann# Sis. Joyce Terrell& Sis. Victoria Thomas* Sis. Danita Wallace^ Bro. David Wallace, Sr.^ Sis. Detoncia Lyons Wilkinson& Sis. Annabella Wright#

# Ruby

^ Bronze

& Pearl