Women in Training, Inc. Board Re-Elects State Rep. Rolanda Hollis as Chairwoman; Elects Beasley Allen Attorney Dana Taunton as Vice-Chair
- Adeyela Bennett
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 27
The Board elected Dr. Nandini Ramroop, Chief Master Sgt Mataya Williams,Yeye Olosunde Aluke and First Sgt Johnathan Wilson as new Board Members
At a special meeting in June 2025, the Women in Training, Inc. Board of Directors unanimously re-elected Alabama State Rep. Rolanda Hollis to a final one-year term as Chairwoman of the Board. This is Rep. Hollis' third term as WIT Chairwoman.
The Board of Directors also unanimously elected Dana Taunton, Esq., Principal, Beasley Allen Law Firm, as Vice Chairwoman. The board unanimously elected Bradley Bennett as Secretary, and re-elected Alonzetta Landrum-Sims to serve her third and final year as Treasurer.
"I am honored to serve a third term as Chairwoman of Women in Training, Inc.," State Rep. Hollis said. "We have already made a major impact in our mission to help end period poverty, and I look forward to us making an even greater dent in our vision to End Poverty. PERIOD!"
From left to right: WIT Vice President Dana Taunton, Esq.; WIT Secretary Bradley Bennett; and
Treasurer Alonzetta Landrum-Sims, MBA.
Since its founding six years ago in July 2019, Women in Training, Inc. has accomplished the following monumental feats:
Advocated for the unanimous passage of Rep. Hollis' HB 50 law that allocates $400,000 annually to the Alabama Department of Education to provide menstrual supplies for more than 56,000 girls and young women in Title I public schools, from Grades 5 through 12.
Initially, in 2022, Rep. Hollis' "Period Poverty Bill"provided $200,000 for the "Feminine Hygiene Grants Program;" however, Rep. Hollis successfully advocated for her legislative colleagues to double the funding. Alabama became only the seventh state in the nation to provide funding for menstrual supplies in public schools.
Donate WITKITS of menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies to girls and women. WIT continues to distribute WITKITS to organizations that support girls and underserved women. To date, Women in Training, Inc. has donated WITKITS to more than 30,000 families in Alabama; Washington, D.C.; Florida; New Orleans; Maryland; and Rock Sound, Eleuthera, in The Bahamas.
Facilitate the WIT Menstrual Health Education Program to demystify menstruation for girls and young women, and to help them become knowledgeable about and comfortable in their own bodies. Women in Training, Inc. also publishes The WIT Guide to Menstrual Hygiene educational brochure.
Advocated for the unanimous passage of Rep. Neil Rafferty's HB 152 "Tampon Tax" law that removes the state sales tax on menstrual supplies, as well as baby formula, diapers, breast pumps and maternity clothing.
Manage the Monarchs in the WIT Leadership Development Academy for middle and high school young women. To date, 15 young women of a variety of ethnic backgrounds have graduated from the program and enrolled in university.
Fundraise to help end period poverty through the following community events:
WIT 5K: The 6th Annual WIT 5K is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Montgomery Whitewater with Dana Taunton, Esq., Dr. Celese Reese and Chief Master Sergeant Mataya Williams serving as Chairwomen. Pete Preston, Race Director.
Women in Training, Inc. Vice President Dana Taunton, Esq., at the 5th Annual WIT 5K at Montgomery Whitewater with the overall women's winner, Jennifer Emmel. WIT International Day of the Girl Child STEM & Multicultural Festival: The 3rd Annual WIT 5K will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the City of Montgomery Union Station Train Shed downtown. Dr. Nandini Ramroop, Chairwoman.
WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch: The 5th Annual WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Zahara Jolie, second from right, was the keynote speaker at the Fourth Annual WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch in March 2025, at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa. Her mother, actress Angelina Jolie, accompanied the Spelman College speaker to the fundraiser.
The WIT Board of Directors unanimously elected the following women and man to serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2028:
The WIT board elected Yeye Olosunde Aduke to the position of Vice President for Youth Development. She will share responsibility for the Monarchs in the WIT Leadership Development Academy with Dr. Celese Reese, WIT Medical Chairwoman and Vice President for Youth Development.
Ms. Aduke is the founder and director of Yoni Steam, a sanctuary for womb healing and women's leadership development. A resident of Birmingham, Yeye earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Alabama, and a Master’s degree in Social Work, with a speciality in Women and Children, from Alabama A&M University.
The Women in Training, Inc. Board of Directors elected Dr. Nandini Ramroop to serve as Chairwoman, International Day of the Girl Child Festival. Dr. Ramroop has served in this role for two years, in 2023 and 2024. At the WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch on March 1, 2025, the WIT board named Dr. Ramroop WIT Leadership Volunteer of the Year.
Dr. Ramroop is a beloved physician at the Central Alabama VA Medical Center, United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
The WIT board elected First Sergeant Johnathan Wilson of the U.S. Army National Guard to the position of Parliamentarian. FSgt Wilson has been instrumental in the behind-the-scenes logistical operations this summer of the Women in Training, Inc. WITKITS program that provides menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies to girls and young women in need.
The Women in Training, Inc. Board of Directors elected Chief Master Sergeant Mataya Williams of the U.S. Air Force National Guard to the position of Strategic Planning Chairwoman. She served as Co-Chairwoman of the 5th Annual WIT 5K at Montgomery Whitewater in March 2025, along with Dana Taunton, Esq., and Dr. Celeste Reese, and as a judge for the 2024 WIT Women of Excellence Award.
Chief Williams is Command Chief of the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field, Alabama. She is the senior enlisted leader for the wing and three geographically separated units. Chief Williams is responsible for advising the commander on readiness, mission effectiveness, professional development, training, utilization, health, morale, and welfare of the wing’s enlisted force.
The Board of Directors unanimously re-elected the following members:
Breanna and Brooke Bennett: The WIT founders will now have one vote each on the board. Previously, the twins shared a vote until their 18th birthday on July 17, 2025. The founders are permanent members of the WIT Board of Directors.
From left to right: WIT President and CEO Iyabeji Adeyela Bennett; WIT Medical Chairwoman and Vice President for Youth Development Dr. Celeste Reese; and Sandra Whatley-Washington, WIT Development Chairwoman.
Iyabeji Adeyela Bennett: President and Chief Engagement Officer
Dr. Celeste Reese: Medical Chairwoman and Vice President for Youth Development
Sandra Whatley-Washington: Development Chairwoman.
Women in Training, Inc. presented Ms. Whatley-Washington with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award at the Fourth Annual WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch on March 2, 2025.
To support Women in Training, Inc.'s mission to help end period poverty, please click the button below.
Comments