The Final Call

Sis. Johnna Muhammad with family and Believers.

NEW YORK—The National Council of Negro Women Inc., Queens County section recently held their 32nd Annual Awards Banquet Dinner to honor women who have made major contributions to their communities.

Keeping with the legacy and the spirit of their founder the late great Mary McLeod Bethune and past President Dr. Dorothy Height, the evening was a celebration and appreciation of individuals who have impacted the lives of many men, women and children within their communities and beyond.

Laura Banks was one honoree. As a social worker she helps abused women and children who have experienced trauma in their lives. Many of her services include faith-based initiatives that deal with domestic abuse and human trafficking and is focused on healing.

Pastor Beverly Caesar was another honoree. She serves as Bethel Gospel Tabernacle’s missions director. Pastor Caesar’s ministry served Uganda, India, South Africa, and many Caribbean countries distributing care packages, counseling troubled teens, and conducting health fairs to better or to enrich their lives.

One of the event’s special honorees was the inimitable, hard-working Sister Johnna Muhammad, who serves as the East Coast Regional Student MGT & GCC (Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class) Captain for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Nation of Islam. Sister Johnna Muhammad was recognized for her dedication and tireless work in training women on the importance of knowing who they are as women and for the responsibilities of educating women on spiritual growth, child rearing, caring for their husband, cooking healthy meals, sewing and the upkeep of their homes.

(l) Sis. Johnna addresses audience. (c) Sis. Johnna and husband Chris Muhammad (r) L-R: Gladys Keller, Sis. Johnna, Ms. Valerie Hall

Sis. Johnna and Min. Abdul Hafeez Muhammad

Mrs. Muhammad is an advocate for women, an inspiring and well-versed spiritual Muslim whose wisdom and lectures have covered topics ranging from marriage, career choices, higher education, wellness, and community outreach. Her nomination was a surprise, as she thought she was attending the June 2 event for another sister. Unbeknownst to Sister Johnna Muhammad, it was in her honor.

Muslims from Atlanta, South Carolina, Chicago, New York and New Jersey attended to support and witness her receive the much deserved and prestigious award. “The award that was bestowed on our Sister Captain Johnna was phenomenal,” stated Student Minister Abdul Hafeez Muhammad, East Coast Regional Representative of Min. Farrakhan.

“Sister Johnna is a stellar, committed and loyal practitioner of the principles of Islam and the training of women,” said Student Min. Hafeez Muhammad. “It’s an honor to work with her for over 20 years. I commend her for receiving the award and for being a great model of a Muslim from her etiquette of Islam, the principles, the morals and her devotion to Islam.” He pointed to Sis. Johnna Muhammad as an example of being a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and an excellent trainer for the women of the faith.

On the acceptance of her award, Sister Johnna thanked her late mother, for her courage, strength and tenacity. She also thanked the eternal leader of the Nation of Islam, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and thanked his National Representative the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

“It is an honor to work with Minister Farrakhan, the women in New York City and the women throughout the Eastern Region as an advocate to empower women,” she said. Sister Johnna Muhammad expressed deep passion about “being mentors to our girls to teach them culture, refinement and not to be seen as pieces of meat.” She further reminded those in attendance that “we stand on the shoulders of great women like Harriet Tubman and other women who were trailblazers that fought and endured the pains from the Civil Rights movement to other inequalities of today. We must never forget the strides that we made and the many more strides that will be made in the future.”

She thanked the National Council of Negro Women Inc. for bestowing the award on her and expressed gratitude to Sister Lashun Muhammad for nominating her. Sister Lashun Muhammad, a member of the National Council of Negro Women Queens County section, thought of celebrating the works of Sister Johnna Muhammad when the committee’s chair, Gladys Keller, announced that this year’s theme is: “Women’s Empowerment, Legacy, Reclamation and Renewal.”

“I immediately thought of my beloved friend and Student Captain Johnna Muhammad,” Lashun Muhammad stated. “It was a no-brainer that a woman of such power and strength that has been an example to me and others should be recognized for her works, especially since she properly displays and represents the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad as taught by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” she explained.

“From the time I became a Vanguard to present, Sister Johnna reminds us of the importance of leaving a lasting legacy and to be in a constant state of renewal by reassessing yourself periodically,” said Lashun Muhammad. She thanked the Banquet Committee for accepting her request to honor Sister Johnna Muhammad and expressed gratitude to the Believers who came from near and far to honor and support the Eastern Regional Student MGT & GCC Captain.