Prominent female members of the community, from local police officers to community leaders, gathered at the Mill Around Art Piece in downtown Clinton in honor of the fourth annual Sampson Women’s Day Celebration Thursday afternoon.
“My heart is super full right now,” said Stephaine Graham, who coordinated the event. “Like it’s full with joy and filled with love. Because all of the beautiful, smiling faces of the women of Sampson County that were able to attend today. We were able to be empowered by Roseboro Mayor Alice Butler, she gave a remarkable speech. It really tied in how we’re all different, but we work together for the same mission. It really speaks to the fact of what a strong community that we have, that we are building. It really warms my heart to see the young girls as well as the older generation that were here as well. It’s one of the most important things for the young people to actually get involved, to be almost trained, so that they’ll know whenever it’s their time to stand up and be a leader. It’s super important for them to see the vision and then be the vision.”
Graham said she wants to see the event develop farther than just a celebration.
“I see an award ceremony where we celebrate our women,” she explained. “I see a women’s conference where it’s a one- to three-day empowerment session. There’s a bigger vision for the women of our county, but first we had to get together. Let’s take the (community) photo and then pull it forward. I want to see this event grow.”
Butler began her speech by emphasizing the number of women at the celebration who came to Sampson County but were not born and raised here.
“Isn’t it interesting to see how many women chose Sampson County?” Butler asked. “Women who weren’t born here, but came here because of marriage, careers, opportunities, schools, or the strength of our agricultural roots. Yet, here you are investing, serving, leading and loving this community. Why is that? I think it’s because we see something very special here in Sampson County. We believe in the people of Sampson County. In fact sometimes, those of us who came from the outside may see the potential even more clear. But one thing I know for certain: every woman here wants the best for Sampson County. Because when our county thrives, our families, churches, schools, businesses, children and our seniors thrive. Everything is better when we pour out best into where we are planted.”
Butler thanked Graham for bringing together those that were in attendance for the celebration. She also took a moment to direct the crowd’s attention to Florist Amy Brewer, owner of Lee Alan Designs.
“She’ll be creating a floral arrangement, and I want you to watch her closely,” Butler said. “Each flower she adds is different. Different color, shade and fragrance. Just like those flowers, look around at each one of us. I see leaders, educators, mothers, grandmothers, business owners, mentors, caregivers and visionaries. You are all beautiful. Whether you’re just starting out in the middle of your journey, or stepping into a season of wisdom and legacy, each stage matters. Each role matters, and every single one of you was created for a purpose. Beyond titles and roles, there’s something even deeper, your identity.”
Butler would then mention other community leaders, such as Graham, CEO of STAR Communications Donna Bullard, Clinton Main Street Manager Tyler Wise, and Patty Cherry as some of the examples. When she was finished, she redirected the crowd attention right back to the floral arrangement.
“Let’s take another look at Amy’s arrangement,” Butler emphasized. “Isn’t it beautiful? That’s because it’s not made of just one kind of flower. It’s the variety, the colors, textures, shapes and the sense that make it come alive. Those differences are brought together with intention and care, they create something truly meaningful. That’s what we are. Different yes, but stronger together, more impactful, beautiful. I’d like to leave you with this thought today. You are precious, you are loved, you are here in Sampson County for a reason. When we all come together, bringing our unique gifts, passion and our purpose, we can create something truly special. So go out, live boldly, love deeply, walk confidently in who you are and most importantly, live your passion.”
Clinton City District 5 Councilwoman Wanda Corbett also spoke at the celebration.
“I was here the one year past, and it was absolutely lovely,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see the community come together, because we’ve got to realize in these days that we’re in now, we’ve got to be together. We have to come together. It doesn’t really matter what we think or seems to make us differ. We are all one people, and we grow strength in that when we’re called to edify and build up and encourage one another. When we do that, God gets the glory, and we also get the results. The end results of that is always going to make us winners.”
Corbett then led the attendance in prayer. Once finished, Graham asked Corbett about her vision as a female leader here in Clinton.
“I want our community to be one community, one voice,” Corbett answered. “Always supporting and building one another. It’s very easy to tear down. I said in our district meeting, a lot of times, in every one of our lives, we have come into situations and we face circumstances. If something goes wrong or some child or somebody did something that is not great, the phone rings constantly. Somebody’s calling to tell you what somebody else’s child did or somebody did that’s not good. I believe, if we just give that same effort and energy in trying to call somebody to say there’s a child running for something or there’s a new business that’s coming in Clinton. Let’s get behind them, build and encourage. If we stand behind one another, encourage one another, being positive is catchy.”
Corbett then urged the crowd to communicate and spend more time together.
“The greatest problem I truly believe that exists in all of the land is a lack of communication,” she said. “Whether it’s your job, your home, in church, wherever is a lack of communication, because somebody thinks they know how somebody else feels, but you don’t. We don’t know what somebody else thinks or how they feel. But if we would spend a little time talking to one another, sharing with each other, you’ll find out. That’s my vision for the city of Clinton, is that we will become better.”
Those in attendance shared that they enjoyed the messages shared at the event, as well as the overall celebration of women.
“I have not missed a single one,” Nettie Wilson Pernell said. “Whatever we do, we do it together. Women should be standing because we’re nurturers, this is what we do. We encourage, we advocate, we take care of any and everybody, all children. It doesn’t matter who you are. That’s how God made his flowers. He made us all different, but he made us so that we are enough in ourselves, and I thank God for that.”
Pernell also emphasized the need to realize just how vital the women of Sampson County are to their communities.
“If it were not for those women, who were businesswomen who have their shops, who stand in elected offices, who go around and talk to the community, those in the churches, all of them coming together, we would not be able to stand here today and … see a lot of progress that you see in the town,” she explained. “As they say, it’s a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be anything without a woman in it.”