Congress & Alabama Legislature Honor WIT Monarchs at Brunch
- Adeyela Bennett
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Updated: May 4
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama State Rep. Rolanda Hollis honored Robyne Bates and Kornelia Green, Senior Monarchs in the Women in Training, Inc. Leadership Development Academy, with certificates from the Alabama House of Representatives in recognition of their community service to help end period poverty.
Rep. Hollis also presented the seniors from Booker T. Washington Arts Magnet HIgh School in Montgomery with a United States House of Representatives special recognition certificate, signed by U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell from Alabama, for "outstanding and invaluable service to the community."
Rep. Hollis presented the awards at her 9th Annual Beautiful Women and Handsome Men in Hats luncheon event in Birmingham, on April 25, 2026. More than 300 guests, including state and local elected officials, as well as corporate and community leaders, attended the celebration.
Rep. Hollis hosts the Beautiful Women and Handsome Men in Hats event annually to honor unsung heroes in the state.
“The Beautiful Women and Handsome Men in Hats event is more than just an opportunity to dress up and look good on a Saturday morning,” Rep. Hollis said. “It’s about recognizing outstanding community service, including the volunteer work that Robyn Bates and Kornelia Green are doing to end period poverty as participants in the WIT Leadership Development Academy. This is why we honored these young ladies of distinction with these well-deserved awards.”
From left to right: WIT Senior Monarch Robyne Bates; Alabama State Representative Rolanda Hollis; and WIT Senior Monarch Kornelia Green.
Bates and Green both performed as Principal Dancers during the Fifth Annual WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch in Montgomery in honor of International Women’s Day in March 2026.
“It was so inspiring to be in a room filled with people who selflessly pour into others,” Robyne Bates said. “Community involvement and engagement makes a great impact on everyone and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I am grateful to Rep. Hollis for the recognition.”
Green expressed similar sentiments.
“Thank you to Rep. Hollis for honoring me for dreaming big with power and purpose," Kornelia Green said. "This is the way to help a young person exceed her highest expectations!”
Women In Training, Inc., or WIT, is a youth empowerment organization that aims to help end period poverty. WIT volunteers distribute WITKITS of menstrual, hygiene and dental products to underserved girls and young women. The WIT Leadership Development Academy facilitates experiential and formal learning opportunities for select young leaders in grades 5 through 12.
Rep. Hollis is Chairwoman of the WIT Board of Directors.
Women in Training, Inc. Board Members, Moms, Mentors, family members and volunteers to support Robyn and Kornelia at Rep. Hollis' 9th Annual Beautiful Women and Handsome Men event include the following:
Oloye Adeyela Bennett, WIT President and Chief Engagement Officer
Mr. Bradley Bennett, WIT Secretary
Ms. LaShunda Carter, WIT Leadership Development Academy Monarch
Ms. Sharon Givan, Grandmother of Kornelia Green
Ms. Allyson Holland, WIT Leadership Development Academy Mom
Miss Sydney Holland, WIT Leadership Development Academy Monarch
Dr. Mimi Johnson, WIT Leadership Development Academy Mentor
Ms. Michelle Kuyper, WIT Leadership Development Academy Mentor
Ms. Shikeereya Smith, WIT Volunteer
Ms. Sandra Whatley Washington, WIT Development Chairwoman
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