The 2010 Dove Award Recipient
Ms. Anna Edwards
The book of Ecclesiastes informs us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven ...” Mrs. Anna Edwards is certainly a woman for all seasons and, through the grace of God, she weathers them well.
Although she lost her father at an early age, Anna, a native of Opelika, Alabama, was brought up and nurtured by her God-fearing mother, Louise Crawford Carpenter. For 50 years she has been married to Earl Edwards, a devoted husband, and three children were born to their union: Earl, Jr. (Danny), Brett, and Jill. Their family has been expanded by a daughter-in-law, Cynthia, six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
Anna’s delightful disposition is particularly suited for working in the school system. While employed with the Board of Education Anna attended Bronx Community College and received her Associate Degree in 1988. She retired in 1996 after 30 years of charming and enchanting children, parents, and co-workers alike. She has always considered this experience one of her most rewarding accomplishments.
Anna united with the Trinity Baptist Church in 1966. Her selfless dedication to various ministries remains a testament to her love of God and God’s people. In the early and mid-70’s Anna committed herself to prayer, study and compassion through the Mid-week 6am Prayer Service, the Sunday school, and the Senior Missionary ministry. She remains involved with all these ministries, particularly as a Sunday school teacher and as Senior Missionary vice-president. In the 80’s Anna consented to responsibility in additional ministries including the K.I.T. Committee (Keep In Touch with college students). In 1986 she was voted Church Clerk, and in 1987 she was ordained as a Deaconess. In the 90’s Anna was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Christian Education Ministry. Her tireless toiling, her soothing spirit and smile, and her warm ways generate an atmosphere where ministry is able to take place. The ministry of her pastor, Rev Naomi Tyler-Lloyd, is supported by Anna’s commitment to her community of faith.
Every five years thousands of Baptist believers gather from all over the world to attend the Baptist World Alliance Congress. Anna says, “I will be forever grateful to my late pastor, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Tyler-Lloyd, and the Trinity family for allowing me the opportunity to attend five congresses as a delegate: Los Angeles, CA in 1984; Seoul, South Korea in 1990; Buena’s Aires, Argentina in 1995; Melbourne, Australia in 2005; and Birmingham, England in 2005.” Someone described the congress as a miniature of Revelation 7:9 – a great multitude from every nation, from all tribes, peoples and languages standing before the Lamb. Anna considers the congress “a little taste of what heaven will be one day for all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”
After a year in retirement, Anna became involved in R.S.V.P. – Retired Senior Volunteer Program, where she tutors children needing help with reading. In 2000 she was the recipient of the U.S.A. Freedom Corp. Award, which was presented with a personal “Thank you” from President George W. Bush.
The seasons and storms that Anna has weathered have made her a caring person evidenced by her declaration, “If I can encourage and help somebody then my living will not be in vain.”
The 2009 Dove Award Recipient
Vanessa Parker
Born and raised in the community of Harlem in Nk, Vanessa Parker graduated from Central Commercial High School (now known as Norman Thomas) and received her A.A.S. in Secretarial Science at Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Vanessa lived in Atlanta, Georgia for several years, returning to New York where she began her career at the Comex Exchange. Her experience has primarily been in the legal field assisting attorneys on notable cases, including the criminal case of The People v. Joel Steinberg, the pro bono defense of a former President of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and intellectual property litigation cases dealing with the leading computer companies in the United States.
During her early educational years, Vanessa discovered her creative spirit! She expresses it in different forms; as a dressmaker, knitter and with a fondness for the written word, writing poetry. Following in the footsteps of the women of her family, Vanessa inherited a love of the culinary arts. For her, it is a way of honoring the legacy of her ancestors, keeping their spirit connected to her. Attending The New School Culinary Institute Master Class in Baking and participating in the first class of the Small Business Lab program at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business, Vanessa developed a niche in incorporating professional techniques with the classic southern recipes of her ancestors and has operated a decorated cake business for several years.
Vanessa has always had a desire to lead an activism life! Relocating to the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York in 2000, that yearning gave birth to a purpose. Concerned about the quality of life issues of the neighborhood and its economic development, Vanessa, along with several other women on her street, spearheaded the formation of and was elected President of the Van Buren Street “100 Strong” Block Association. As President of the association, Vanessa recognizes that the challenges are many. She leads the association with the objectives to motivate and unite residents to promote fellowship and pride through community activism, to address quality of life issues, to honor the elders and lift up the youth! Inspired by the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” Vanessa encourages the members of the Association with the mission goal, “It takes a block to build a neighborhood,” that block by block, we can reclaim what she calls “a return to village living!”
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