WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

Despite the rain showers on Saturday, March 9, girls and women of all ages proudly marched down Fourth Street in downtown Winston-Salem to celebrate the International Women’s Day Parade. The parade’s purpose is to promote and support the economic development of local women-owned businesses and organizations in our city. Various organizations, businesses, marching bands, dance teams, step teams, schools, churches, and others came together to march in the second annual Women’s Legacy Parade during Women’s History Month.

Dr. Alicia Bailey, the founder and CEO of the Legacy Foundation for Women and of the Women’s Legacy Parade, helped lead the parade, along with Councilmember Barbara Burke, who served as the Grand Marshal of the parade.

“I rode at the very front of the parade. The rainy, cold weather did not stop me because I am committed to what I believe to be a great opportunity,” said Burke. “I was proud to be the Grand Marshal. Locally, this was an opportunity for us to celebrate women in Winston-Salem who are doing phenomenal things. Young girls who will soon be adults need to see role models. This is more than a dream. These careers are reality.” 

Renee Vaughn of 97.1 (WQMG) served as the emcee for the parade. 

The mission of the Legacy Foundation for Women, for nearly a decade, is “to support women and girls of color through scholarship funds, and award recognition and humanitarian efforts.” 

But the idea of the parade was to unite women of all races and nationalities, according to founder Bailey. “In March, we reach across all lines from different cultures, races, and nationalities. The Hispanic League of the Piedmont, different schools and bands united to stand together,” said Bailey. “We want to show the girls who attend the parade some of the professions they can become when they grow up. The parade was a true success in spite of the rain. All races and nationalities came together, united as one,” said Dr. Bailey.

Bailey recognized many sponsors who supported the event with their presence as well as their finances. The Truliant Federal Credit Union, Flow BMW, Flow Mini Automotive, Piedmont Savings Bank, Novant Health, and Girl on the Roof marketing agency.

Among the participants in the parade were female firefighters, female police officers, council women, females involved in the teacher’s union, nurses, and women from many professions. Some of the women represented professions such as real estate or worked at businesses that support women, such as Truliant Credit Union and Piedmont Federal Credit Union, and passed out information about the support they offer to business women who are starting new business ventures.

Members of the Envy Women’s Motorcycle Club, Women of Vision Caregivers Ministry, the Reach Women’s Network, Forsyth County Association of Educators (FCAE), Wut Yasay Food Truck, Elasya B’s Candy Tree, Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods, Lead Girls, Mary B’s Puppet Ministry,  Love and Faith Christian Church, N.C. House Representative Amber Baker, Superintendent Patricia McManus, and Assistant Superintendent Timisha Barnes Jones, along with a host of student groups and bands, came out to show their support. 

Commissioner Malishai Woodbury and Stephanie Hurt supported the Juneteenth Queens and Miss North Carolina Plus. Dr. Pam Peoples Joyner served as the logistics coordinator of the parade. She is with the City of Winston-Salem Police Department and serves on the Legacy Foundation Advisory Board as the parade director and liaison for the City.

Many students from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools joined the parade. Glenn, North Forsyth, Reynolds and Carver high schools; Philo-Hill Magnet Academy; Griffith, Petree, Forest Park, Ward and Speas Global elementary schools; the College Barber Shop; the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; and the Master League for Boys, all collaborated with the community to bring a supportive spirit to the celebration.

Asst. Chief of Investigation Wilson Weaver of the Winston-Salem Police Department was pleased to roll down Fourth Street with the parade and said, “This parade celebrates women of Winston-Salem and all of the achievements they have gained here and beyond.”