The Lighting the Path for Girls Initiative is a program of the Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes and focuses on the growth and development of young girls, beginning at age 13 and continuing through college. These young ladies are our Precious Jewels.
The Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes holds its annual Literary Luncheon to benefit the Jewels. The event will be Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. at the Music City Center. Funds from this event helps to fund projects for the Jewels.
Wanda Miller-Benson
They attend monthly workshops, go on tours throughout the nation and receive financial support for college. “It’s about awareness, support and guidance,” said Rene’ Whittaker one of the three member leadership team of the Jewels.
Recently, the Jewels experienced a special educational workshop. They attended a special presentation from Gloria McKissack, founder of the “Lighting the Path for Girls Initiative, regarding the famous McKissack family. The McKissack Architectural Firm, is one of the foremost African American firms in the nation. They built multiple buildings on the Tennessee State University campus.
“The Jewels are excited about their learning opportunities and will develop into strong, beautiful, brilliant young ladies,” said Wanda Benson, Jewels Tri-Chair coordinator.
They Jewels toured the home of one of the famous McKissack family members, Moses McKissack, located at the corner of 15th and Edgehill. The house was built in 1912.
The Jewels also had a special tour of the Metro Water Treatment Plant. They learned the water that comes from the hadron comes from somewhere else to be treated and be safe for consumption.
“These Jewels are molded through their experiences with the Les Gemmes Chapter,” said Pat Rees, Tri-Chair of the Jewels.
The 17th annual Literary Luncheon is the main fundraiser to support the Jewels, to participate in educational workshops like this one, as well as tours of HBCUs, visiting museums, and attending special events in Washington, D.C. “This experience was important for our Jewels to learn their history and consider career paths,” said Gloria McKissack.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 18, and spend time learning the Jewels. This year’s luncheon will feature highly-touted Reshonda Tate, author of the Queen of Sugar Hill, and 50 other books.
The theme is “Celebrating Our Stories…Empowering Our Future.” The Honorable Karen Johnson, serves as chair and Dr. Candra Clariette is co-chair, and the mistress of ceremonies is WSMV’s (Channel 4) news reporter and anchor Danielle Ledbetter.
Entertainment includes Fisk Jubilee Singer alumni, Kim Fleming and the Friends of Fisk group. Additionally, the Sankofa African Drum Corp will open the program, and Nashville’s Youth Poet Laureate Jadyn Marshall, will present special poems.
For information about the event or to serve as a vendor, please contact Rene’ Whittaker, call 615-838-6164 or email mrenew45@gmail.com.
