You never know where you may meet a new sister who journeys with you in life’s tumultuous waves while seeking quiet waters for you and with you.

At the workshop a few weeks ago, as everyone finally had a face with a name, a beautiful thing happened. The immediate bond we experienced was seen and felt. The employees of the church saw it, heard it, felt it, smelled it, and tasted the sweetness of spirit within each of us.

They commented on the delight they felt as they watched women helping one another, laughing together,and encouraging one another. It was as if we were sorority sisters coming together after many years, yet most of us had never met in person until this day. Ms. Senior Alabama, Cindy Dixon 2020, has talked about being Sister Queens many times in her reign. She was very touched by so many of her new sisters and we all have made lifelong friends in this sisterhood.

May I introduce my own soul sister: Dr. Penny Njoroge, 2020 1st Runner Up to Cindy Dixon, MSA 2020.

Cindy travels to Africa to build wells for those who need water. She won Ms. Senior Alabama 2020. Penny was born in Africa and came to the US later in life with a high school diploma, and received her college degrees, including a doctorate. Penny won 1st Runner Up to Cindy Dixon in 2020, and the pageant was on the 3rd anniversary of her citizenship to the US. In 2020, Kim called Cindy to see what she was doing, or supposed to do, as MSA. Cindy said I’m not doing anything because I don’t know what to do. Due to their connections with Africa, Kim was able to gain interest from media about these 2 new friends and obtained interviews for them and speaking engagements. The idea was born that rather than the sisterhood and efforts of the women stop after the pageant, and beyond a few appearances or parades, that the women of MSA would focus on community outreach as a sisterhood. In 2024, the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism awarded Ms. Senior Alabama for their over 200 outreach efforts in 2023. In 2024, MSA women broke that record. From Africa to Alabama, our women are from all over, and reach out to all areas of Alabama – a sisterhood of volunteerism and love.

The invocation for MSA 2021 by Chaplains Kim Crawford Meeks and Dr. Penny Njroge:

Penny: I was born in Africa and grew up with one challenge and the next. Eventually, after overcoming many obstacles, I came to Alabama. I furthered my education and became a chaplain. I had no idea at the time the sisters I would gain throughout my physical and spiritual journey. One morning I was going through pre-surgery at the hospital and stepped into a bay, and asked a mother if she wanted prayer before her young daughter went to surgery.

Kim: The mother was me. My daughter had been ran over by a motorcycle and had to have several surgeries to put her all back together. The moment I met Chaplain Penny I knew she was my sister. She invited me to her home later and I explained that I was in Bible college but did not know what I was going to do with my degree and asked about Chaplaincy. She said, If I could do it, you can” and told me of her difficult and triumphant journey. With support from my new sister in Christ, I did it! I obtained a Master’s of Divinity, completed Clinical Pastoral Education, Board Certification, served as a staff chaplain in Birmingham for years, and then opened the first Spiritual Care Dept at USA Health in Mobile, AL.  

Penny: We would have never guessed when looking up at the stars from Africa to Alabama, we would one day be sisters standing in the same light. Experiencing the sweetness of the Holy Spirit weaving threads of life and hope through each of us to form an unbreakable strand of strength.

Kim: May we journey together with the 23rd Psalm leading us…

(Kim states a verse in English, and Penny repeats in her native language and continue…)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3  He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his names sake.

4  Even though I walk through the valley of lthe shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5  You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

*Invocation for Ms. Senior Alabama 2021.

Kim Crawford-Meeks

08/28/2021