Women in Training, Inc. Names Savannah Williams 2025 WIT Monarch of Distinction

WAKA Anchor Ellis Eskew announced 17-year-old Savannah Lynn Williams, a senior at Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Alabama, as the 2025 WIT Monarch of Distinction. Ms. Ellis made the announcement at the Women in Training, Inc. Mother-Daughter Brunch on March 1, 2025, at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center.

Photo by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography. Graphic design by Moremi Akinde of Apataki Productions.

"In 2019, the Women in Training, Inc. Board of Directors elected Savannah as the very first WIT Youth Ambassador," said Adeyela Bennett, President and CEO, Women in Training, Inc.

"We initially called the middle and high school young women in the WIT Leadership Development Academy our 'WIT Young Leaders,' and later changed their name to 'WIT Monarchs.' Savannah has remained steadfast in the organization by volunteering at WIT menstrual equity activities, actively participating in leadership development workshops and supporting WIT community events and fundraisers. Whenever we ask for a volunteer, Savannah is the first to say: 'I'll do it!'" Ms. Bennett said.

Savannah at age 12 as the first Women in Training, inc. Youth Ambassador.

"WIT provided me with endless opportunities for development and growth, along wth the other Monarchs," Savannah said. "I am honored to have been a part of Women in Training, Inc. since the founding of the organization."

Dr. Stephanie McCorvey, former WIT Vice President for Youth Development, lauded Savannah on receiving the prestigious award.

Dr. Stephanie McCorvey, former WIT Vice President for Youth Development, helped usher Savannah Williams into the WIT Leadership Development Academy.

"Perfectly suited to receive the honor of WIT Monarch of Distinction, Savannah distinguished herself early, from her initial interview to become a WIT Young Leader," Dr. McCorvey said. "She exemplified two unique traits of a monarch butterfly: using sun to direct her course and using an internal compass on the cloudy days. Savannah's smile and spirit brought light to gatherings, and her openness about experiencing the loss of her loving grandfather reflects her beauty and strength."

Savannah and some of the Monarchs had a private moment with Academy Award winning actress Angelina Jolie and her daughter, Zahara Jolie, at the WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch.

Savannah in the middle with Zahara and Angelina Jolie on the far right.

Here is the current cohort of WIT Monarchs and Moms.

Photo by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography. Graphic design by Moremi Akinde of Apataki Productions.

Watch Savannah in this 2019 video at the Inaugural WIT Women's Film Festival at the Capri Theatre.

https://youtu.be/JNZmJJm51aA?si=CqqABiQWNE0tFidf&t=124

In July 2020, at the peak of COVID-19, Savannah participated in this video shoot to thank Women in Training, Inc. donors for their support.

https://youtu.be/72I91AweBdk?si=NjtjvJjj7wZKvoYL

Here is Savannah with WIT founders, Breanna and Brooke Bennett, at the Orientation for the WIT Leadership Development Academy in 2020.

Founding Steering Committee members of the WIT Leadership Development Academy were:

Chairwoman Stephanie Aldridge McCorvey, PT, DPT, Stephan Schramm / Alamy Stock Photo

Beverly D. Davison-Hill, EdD, Interim Dean, Eaker Center for Leadership Development, Air University

Patricia Maggard, PhD, Professor, Barnes Center for Enlisted Education and Education Advisor, Air University

Nancy Millice, MA, Adjunct Instructor, Career Leadership Academy, University of Iowa

Mrs. Claudia Mitchell, Vice President, Montgomery School Board Vice Chairwoman and WIT Vice President

Ms. Khadidah Stone, WIT Youth Development Coordinator

Marci Webster, PhD, Leadership Faculty Member, Federal Executive Institute, U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Ms. Tonya White-Evans, WIT Hospitality Coordinator and Paralegal, Southern Poverty Law Center

Here is Savannah in the Inaugural Cohort of the WIT Leadership Development Academy.

The Inaugural Cohort of WIT Young Leaders in 2020. Photo by Charles Williams of Lush Photography.

On December 4, 2021, Savannah represented Women in Training, Inc. at the 66th Cmmemoration of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Here she is speaking at the Rosa Parks University at Troy University.

Savannah, at age 14, speaking at the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University in December 2021.

Savannah was in the cohort of Women in Training, Inc. Young Leaders who went on a weeklong STEM, Arts and Government (SAG) Tour to Washington, DC, in June 2022.

WIT Young Leaders at the Montgomery Airport as they depart for a weeklong STEM, Arts and Government Tour to the Nations Capital. The tour was generously sponsored by the Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium. Savannah is standing on the far right.

Women in Training, Inc. Board members Dr. McCorvey, Ms. Bennett and Mr. Bradley Bennett chaperoned the tour.

Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Alabama, flanked by WIT Young Leaders Savannah Williams (on the left) and Amiyah-Sarea Goshton. Photo by Lindsay Gray.

The SAG Tour was made possible by a generous grant from the Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium.

The video below by Lindsay Gray of Steelbeach Media summarizes the tour.

https://youtu.be/HohW2TEsogo?si=_sOUAA3jBvJ1BD_8

During the SAG Tour, the young leaders engaged in the following experiential learning activities:

• Met with the Democratic Women’s Caucus at the United States Capitol

• Toured, participated in workshops and had lunch with leaders at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

• Toured Howard University and conducted graduate-school level science experiments with a professor

• Toured the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

• Toured the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History

• Attended a dance performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

• Attended a dinner party on the Potomac River.

Congresswoman Lois Frankel of New York, on the left, and Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Alabama, on the right, flanks the WIT Young Leaders during their weeklong STEM, Arts and Government (SAG) Tour of the Nation's Capital. The tour was generously sponsored by the Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium.

Thanks to the generosity of Procter & Gamble, the WIT young leaders packed WITKITS of Always sanitary pads, Secret deodorant, Oral-B toothpaste, toothbrush and floss, and fuzzy socks at the P&G office. Women in Training, Inc. donated the WITKITS to underserved people in Washington, D.C., through the Covenant House of Greater Washington.

A multifacted leader, Savannah also actively participated in the WIT Rites of Passage Circle.

Founding Steering Committee members of the WIT Rites of Passage Circle were:

Chairwoman Muhjah Shakir, Founder and CEO, Nature's Garden for Victory and Peace

Valarie Adams, Co-Founder, Alabama Indigenous Coalition

Norma (Iyabode) McGowan Jackson, Councilwoman, City of Tuskegee

Stephanie Aldridge McCorvey, PT, DPT, WIT Vice President for Youth Development

Rev. Dr. Jacquetta Y. Parhams, Founder and CEO, Efficentime Life Management

Here is a video that summarizes the year-long cultural leadership WIT Rites of Passage Circle program that operated from 2021-2022.

https://youtu.be/FiSgUYKI0AQ?si=DNX8cPNXN316BSkV

In 2022, Savannah was a freshman and one of the youngest Monarchs. Now, she is a graduating high school senior in the Class of 2025.

Photo by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography

Photo by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography

Savannah participated in the range of Women in Training, Inc. leadership training opportunities, including WITKITS giveaways of menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies.

The videos below also show Savannah at "The Sacredness of Menstruation" workshop during Menstrual Hygiene Month in May 2023; the "Mothers of Gynecology"experiential learning tour in December 2021; and "She Can Women's Financial Empowerment Program" with the Alabama Securities Commission in October 2024.

https://youtu.be/aadjJsNG0M0?si=DuUyKwxzg8Pj8uQY

https://youtu.be/1fSXF1P8jwU?si=oHbmeQlRdeJroMdA

https://youtu.be/pgXpEqeQ3ZE?si=WnhKYk9KWxnZPX4s

In 2023, Women in Training, Inc. named Savannah as one of the WIT Girls & Women of Excellence for her work as a young author. At age nine, Savannah wrote the book, Rainbow Tears of Joy, after the sudden death of her PawPaw.

WIT displayed artwork of Savannah's image during the 4th Annual WIT 5K to inspire runners and walkers.

Graphic design by Moremi Akinde of Apataki Productions.

Here is Savannah with the WIT Monarchs at the Women in Training, Inc. Annual Meeting at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in 2023.

Photo by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography

An eloquent orator, Savannah welcomed more than 200 guests to the Inaugural WIT International Day of the Girl Child STEM and Multicultural Festival in Octotober 2023 at Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University.

Photos by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography

Here is Savannah speaking in 2024 at a Women in Training, Inc. fundraising event.

Photos by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography

Savannah's grandmother, Marjorie Lynn Bowden, DBS, consistently supported her particiption in Women in Training, Inc. events. Dr. Bowden crowned Savannah during the WIT Monarch Crowning Ceremony during the 2024 and 2025 Mother-Daughter Brunch celebrations.

Photo by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography

Photo by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography

Savannah's family placed this congratulatory advertisement.

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