The Alternative Press

PATERSON, NJ - In light of Women’s History Month, Paterson residents came together to honor women in their communities.

The 2nd Annual Timeless Women Award Ceremony was held at the Paterson Museum Thursday night. The program honored women who were believed to have made a significant impact within the city, an effort sponsors say doesn’t happen as often as it should.

The Heart of Hannah Women’s Center, Paterson’s Neighborhood Assistance Office and 4th Ward councilwoman, Ruby Cotton, sponsored the event. Cotton said the ceremony was a means to encourage and support women within the city.

“We just want to recognize women who would otherwise never be recognized,” said Cotton.

Women provide a lot of support to the community but are rarely acknowledged for their efforts, according to Cotton.

Members of the Timeless Women committee include Kelley Moss, founder of the Heart of Hannah Women’s Center, Councilwoman Ruby Cotton and recipients of the previous years’ awards. Together, they compile a list of women in Paterson who they think have made an impact on improving the city. The committee also takes
input from neighborhood residents of who should be honored.

Nancy Grier, the Community Relations Specialist for the City of Paterson, collaborates with other members of the committee to coordinate the ceremony. She says it’s important to show appreciation to people who have given so much to the community.

“Women are so powerful,” said Grier. “As women, we’re so busy doing for others, we don’t do for ourselves. We just want to say thank you to these women.”

The awards are named after women throughout history. For example, the Madam C.J. Walker Award is awarded to women who have excelled in entrepreneurship and the Michelle Obama Award is given to women who have embraced volunteerism.

Ravin Willis was one of the recipients of the Madam C.J. Walker award. The 33-year-old owns a floral shop called Generations Flower and Design on Rosa Parks Boulevard.

“It’s amazing that even when you don’t think you’re doing a lot, you never know who’s paying attention,” said Willis.

Willis says the floral industry is tough for Black women and she isn’t taken seriously when she attends floral meetings and events.

She says felt honored to receive the award named after the first African American Woman millionaire.

“I feel excited because she was a daughter of a sharecropper and she took the initiative to make something out of herself,” said Willis.

Melynn Murphy, pastor of Mount Zion Full Gospel Church, was the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award.

Murphy operated three programs in the ‘90s geared towards helping people infected with HIV and AIDS. One of those operations, Olive Branch, was a daycare for children between the ages of 6 months to 3 years of age who were infected with HIV. Today, she’s helping others on an international level.

Murphy was happy to receive about the award but says it’s not her motivation for helping others. She thinks it’s important for women to help shape tomorrow’s generation.

“I think if we don’t make a distinctive point to make an impression on them then they will be left in the wind,” said Murphy.

More than 15 women were honored at the ceremony. The room was packed with cheering family members and friends. Coordinator Kelley Moss said she looks forward to having an even bigger ceremony next year.

“I want us to continue to find people in the community who are hands on,” said Moss.