President’s Message

President’s Message – 2022

AWOGA March 2022 Newsletter
Even our annual newsletter did not escape the reach of the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted us all. Seems like eons ago when we had our last Newsletter in March 2019.

Since then, we celebrated a successful 170th Anniversary year with the generous contributions and patronage of our members, fellow alumnae, and ardent supporters of AWOGA. For this, we are eternally grateful. Turnout was at record-breaking numbers at our events – Sight and Sound Theater Day Trip, Education Symposium, All-House Picnic, Spirit of Washington Lunch Cruise, Health and Wellness Day/ Sponsored Walk – as well as our annual Thanksgiving Service and 170th Anniversary Gala. Your donations in 2019 were the highest received in our organization’s 33-year history!

You might be asking – “what next? How do you ensure sustainability? Are there any plans afoot?” “The Committee for Achieving a Transformed and Higher Performing AWMS” has been set up as a follow-up to the stellar production of our education symposium held in July 2019. In partnership with the school principals and collaboration with other AWOGA branches through the President’s Council, we hope this will be an inclusive initiative for the school.

We have made meaningful contributions to our school from your generous contributions over the years. The Presidents’ Council, acting as an umbrella for all the different AWOGA branches in the Diaspora, coordinates all support efforts in collaboration with the AWMS Development Fund and the management team at our school in Freetown. In response to a request from the principals, AWOGA Washington proudly sponsored a 2-day workshop for Annie Walsh teachers in September 2019. We continue to award scholarships to supplement the expenses of deserving pupils since the Free Quality Education Initiative only covers tuition and a couple of text and exercise books. A Member Relations Officer and I were present for the December 2019 presentation of scholarship awards at the school in Freetown. In 2020, in keeping with our motto “Not for self but for all”, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, AWOGA Washington together with other branches in the Diaspora, collaborated to donate pedal hand washing stations, reusable masks, healthcare & cleaning supplies to the school and did a community outreach project to the Macauley Street Satellite Hospital. We refurbished the school’s upper sports court and purchased new instruments for the school band with funds raised from our Sponsored Walk. Flooding at the school and the crumbling boundary walls vividly drove home the urgent need for maintenance and repair. You will be happy to know that your donations were put to good use. Fellow AWOGs, this is your opportunity to become a member of AWOGA Washington if you are not already or if you are a silent member, please, express your views and attend our monthly virtual meetings on the first Saturday of each month.

EVERYONE is welcome. EVERYBODY is Important and everyone’s views and or suggestions will be given the merit they deserve. We strive to be an inclusive organization. We even allow ourselves time away from each other in June, July & August when we take a summer break from having meetings. We all need some time away now and then! Over the years, “Annie Walsh Girls” have stepped up to the plate “with courage and humble grace” exhibiting the true essence of our motto – Non sibi sed omnibus – Not for self but for all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to EVERYBODY who contributed in diverse ways to make sure all our events were resoundingly successful even during the pandemic. The popular adage – if God gives you lemons you make lemonade – has never been more appropriate! “Zoom” and “Virtual” have become common everyday words as we learn to live our new “normal” lives.

The COVID Pandemic notwithstanding, AWOGA accomplished the following in a very busy 2021:

• The Committee for the Restoration & Rehabilitation of the main administrative building, the 2Rs Campaign, launched a Virtual Fund- Raising Event on Sunday, January 10th to sensitize the AWMS community at large to the immediate problems facing the school and raise funds for remediation.
• On Sunday, March 21st six AWOGA branches – Canada/Ontario, Carolinas, New York/New Jersey, Northern California, Southeastern & Washington -held a successful Joint Virtual Thanksgiving Service.
• AWOGA Washington celebrated its 35th Anniversary on Monday, July 26th.
• The long-awaited refurbished Upper Sports Court at the school was dedicated on Thursday, July 29th, and
• On Saturday, July 31st AWOGA Washington’s 35th Anniversary Virtual Reminiscence Event included firsthand accounts of our Past Presidents’ accomplishments as well as a much anticipated and keenly contested Asoebi competition

I thank those who have gone from among us for their lasting legacy. Let us not forget that AWOGANS belong to a 173-year-old and counting select sisterhood of accomplished, distinguished, exemplary, outstanding, top-notch, first-class ladies in all works of life!!!

As AWOGA Washington looks forward to celebrating many more years, I thank you for your confidence in electing me as your President for a second term. It has been an honor & privilege to serve you…exhilarating, to say the least.

Floreat AWOGA Washington!
Non sibi sed omnibus.
Audrey Pabs-Garnon
President – AWOGA Washington