Women of Courage Honored at 19th Annual Rosa Parks Breakfast in Columbus

SISTERS, Inc., the foundation of the Gamma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, in partnership with Rosa Parks Sisters Incorporated, hosted the 19th Annual Rosa Parks Women of Courage Breakfast on March 16, 2026, celebrating women whose leadership and advocacy reflected the enduring legacy of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

Held at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center, the annual event recognized women across the Chattahoochee Valley who demonstrated courage, service and a commitment to advancing social justice and equity in their communities.

This year’s honorees included Evelyn “Mimi” Woodson, Pat Hugley Green and Arreasha Lawrence. Each was recognized for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of underserved communities. Woodson was honored for decades of public service and support of military families, Green for her work in education and public policy, and Lawrence for her dedication to youth empowerment and grassroots activism.

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, now a Democratic candidate for governor, delivered the keynote address. Bottoms emphasized the importance of recognizing community leaders whose work often goes unnoticed.

“Honoring these women who are truly making a difference in our community — and Columbus — is so important to our state as a whole,” Bottoms said. “We’ve gotten so used to hearing the things that aren’t great about our communities, so it’s important to celebrate the people who are truly the changemakers.”

Beyond honoring community leadership, the breakfast also served as a major fundraiser supporting scholarships for college-bound students. Since its inception, SISTERS, Inc. had awarded more than $750,000 in scholarships to local students pursuing higher education.

Organizers said the event continued to reflect Rosa Parks’ legacy by uplifting women who lead with courage and a commitment to creating lasting change in their communities.