WS Chronicle

Nobody does holidays quite like Anita “Boss Lady” Dean-Arnette, the voice of The Light Christian radio station. 

Every year for Christmas she makes sure children have something to open on Christmas morning with her annual Toy Drive. On Thanksgiving she makes sure families have something to eat. And for the past 22 years, Boss Lady welcomed sons and daughters from across the Triad to come together and celebrate their mothers during her annual Mother’s Day Luncheon and Contest.

Leading up to Mother’s Day, The Light invites listeners to send in letters to nominate their mothers for the title of “Mother of the Year.” There is a committee of judges that read each of the letters and determine the winners. The winners are announced at the luncheon, but every mother who attends the event leaves with a gift. 

Dean-Arnette said when she decided to host the first event in 2000, she only received five submissions and they held a small luncheon for the contestants in a conference room at the radio station. Now, Dean-Arnette receives hundreds of letters every year and more than 200 people usually attend the event.

“We celebrate mothers while they are yet alive. So many moms don’t have families to love on them. They are alone or children just don’t give them any love until they are  gone,” Dean-Arnette said. 

This year the title was awarded to Frances Madonia Johnson-Steward. In addition to her crown, Johnson-Steward also received a gift card, a new Sunday hat and other items that were donated by sponsors of the event. Prizes were also awarded for second and third place. 

The Light (1340 AM and 103.5 FM) is the Piedmont’s top-ranked urban gospel music station. Midday Praise with Boss Lady is on air Monday-Friday from noon to 3 p.m. For more information, visit http://lightthetriad.com.