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Local
Woman Pays Tribute to ‘Legendary’ Female Friends
Annual breakfast
brunch Joyce Shipman’s way of fostering fellowship, honoring
friends
By
Allison Jean Eaton
Bulletin Staff Writer
COMPTON – Earlier
this month, longtime resident Joyce Shipman feted women who have deeply
impacted her life with what has become
an annual breakfast-brunch featuring food, fellowship and fun.
About 45 women May 3packed the fellowship hall at St. Timothy’s
dressed in their Sunday best for the event, this year themed “Legends
of Courage and Wisdom.”
All of the women – friends from her church, First AME in Los
Angeles, as well as members of the local chapter of the National Council
on Negro Women, neighbors, sorority sisters and longtime friends – have
in some way positively impacted Shipman’s life. The are her “sisters
from many different phases.”
Among those invited were 12 special honorees: women 85 years of age
or older, the eldest of whom is 106. These women Shipman considers
to be legends of courage and wisdom in their own right.
“These wonderful women have lived to see eight-plus decades of
revolutionary changes in the lives of women in the U.S.A.,” Shipman
said.
Her daughter, Belita Nash, spoke of the theme as part of the program.
“Their longevity alone has put them in the category of a legend
because there are many stories about them that will be told for generations,” said
Nash of the 12 honorees. “And their stories will demonstrate
their courage and wisdom while living this life.”
Sitting at tables dressed in colorful springtime-shaded tablecloths
and flowers, they feasted on a tasty Southern breakfast of waffles,
crab cakes, catfish, grits, scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, hot links
and fresh fruit.
A part of the festivities, attendee Juanita Reed performed a spoken
word selection by Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman.” Additionally,
Shipman’s granddaughter, Kenielle Shipman, and friend La Joy
Jackson sang “This Little Light of Mine” accompanied by
pianist Mattye White.
In previous years, the event was hosted in her South Pearl Street home.
However, as it continues to grow, Shipman decided to go with an alternative
location.
“This is what I like to do,” she said. “I like to
organize. And to me, it’s just the highlight of my life. I look
forward to it.”
Each year, the retired teacher begins planning the event in January,
and each year the breakfast-brunch is hosted on the first Saturday
in May. A former student and her mother cater the event.
Last year’s theme was “Women of the Bible.” Shipman
assigned each woman in attendance the name of female Bible figure.
Each attendee was assigned a scripture relative to her Biblical woman,
and each in turn spoke on her designee.
“The ladies enjoy coming,” said Shipman. “This is
a way for all of us to socialize and remember everyone from year to
year.”.
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