HONORING MAYOR BEVERLY WHITE AND THE WOMEN WHOSE LEADERSHIP CONTINUES TO SHAPE AND STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY.
By Lisa Coburn
The moment you stepped into the Family Refuge Center for the 4th Annual International Women’s Day Tea Party, you could feel it: a hum of energy, camaraderie, and quiet power. Women laughed, sipped tea, and swapped stories, but beneath the soft clink of cups was something stronger, a collective celebration of leadership, service, and the art of lifting each other up.
Stephanie Moore, Executive Director of the Family Refuge Center, explained the meaning behind the gathering.
“We take nominees from our staff members and our board members, and then our fundraising committee selects a recipient,” Moore said. “We use this event to recognize a community member who really represents a strong woman in a leadership role and who is making an impact in the community.”
“One of our primary goals is to empower the individuals that we serve,” Moore said. “When we have a room full of strong women recognizing the impact our community leaders are making, it’s empowering for everyone.”
Brittany Brackenrich, Executive Director of Communities in Schools of Greenbrier County and last year’s honoree, reflected on the power of recognition: “It was humbling… surreal… to be among a community full of very powerful, thoughtful, compassionate movers and changers. To know your impact matches your intent is everything.”
This year, all eyes were on City of Lewisburg Mayor Beverly White, a leader who has spent decades serving her community with empathy, vision, and love. White said her love for the community continues to inspire her work as mayor.
“I’m extremely proud to serve as mayor of this wonderful community,” she said. “I was born and raised here, and I love Lewisburg. I want everyone to feel welcome with love and respect.”
When asked what advice she would offer women interested in serving their communities, White encouraged them to begin wherever they can.
“Start volunteering,” she said. “Ask to serve on boards and commissions. Be committed to serve, not just sit. Trust that you have something to bring to the table. You have gifts that God has given you, and you need to use those.”
She was genuinely moved as she accepted the honor, saying, “It’s quite an honor, and totally unexpected. I just want to serve.”
The room responded with admiration, stories, and gratitude: “Every city would be blessed to have a mayor with your perspective, your compassion, your empathy… I can just imagine how different the world would look if we had more leaders like you.”
Representatives from United Way of Greenbrier Valley, the City of Lewisburg, The Golden Rabbit, Dial A Daughter (Jenny McClung), Carnegie Hall, Vicki Dove, Gloria Martin, Davis Stuart, Communities in Schools, Family Refuge Center Board Members, Hashtag, and Creekside Foundry filled the room, a powerful reminder that when women gather, communities thrive.
