St. Elizabeth's Women's Day 2008

Last Sunday, May 18th, we were graced by our very own Anne Holton, First Lady of Virginia, who was our speaker for St. Elizabeth's Annual Women's Day. Anne spoke about "A Woman's Role in the Family" which was also the theme for this year's festivities.

We were reminded that a woman is the ultimate multitasker. She can be nurse, budgeter, cook, wife, mother, caretaker, businesswoman and the anchor in a family. She has a largely unsung role with no paycheck at the end of the week. A role often devalued by society.

Anne used the story of The Marriage Feast at Cana to illustrate how a woman's influence shapes family life. Mary, the mother of Jesus, in her quiet gentle way, brought her Son to the threshold of his first public miracle. Mary realized the importance of the marriage feast in the life of the young couple. Hospitality played an important part in the events of that day and of course, the couple wanted their day to be perfect. Unfortunately, the wine ran out...

Mary recognized that situation could ruin a perfect day and so she decided to intervene. She drew her Son aside and let him know the wine had run out. Then she quietly spoke to the servants and told them to do whatever Jesus told them. She was confident her Son would take care of things.

This story exemplifies the influence a woman has within the family structure. Anne reminded us of the importance of a woman's stabilizing influence in today's culture and spoke from her own experience as a juvenile and domestic relations district court judge in the City of Richmond that showed what happened when children did not have this caring presence of a woman in the family to look after them.

Our First Lady received a standing ovation from all of us in appreciation for her words of wisdom.

Congratulations also go out to our Women's Day Committee under Chairperson Sharon Morton, all of whom put so much work and energy into this day to make this splendid event a success.


~ The print is "Circle of Joy" by Keith Mallett ~