DOVER — The women ranged in age from 40 to about 95.

They were teachers, business leaders, administrators, founders, CEOs and Hall of Fame inductees — with a stack of children, grandchildren and postgraduate degrees.

And on Feb. 12, they shared their stories at the public program, “Delaware Black Women Leaders: Past, Present & Future.”

The Sankofa Cultural Arts Center invited the 10 Delaware women to talk about their lives at two sessions. The presenters included Dr. Anthea Aikins, Linda Arrey-Mbi Nkwenti, Denise Hicks Barnes, Troy Farmer, Dr. Eunice Gwanmesia, Dr. Reba Ross Hollingsworth, Maxine Lewis, Charlotte Miller-Lacy, Dr. Wilma Mishoe and Kim Warfield.

Dr. Donna Blakey introduced and moderated the event. Afterward, she said she was amazed by “so much knowledge, wisdom and experience” coming from the speakers.

“It’s just amazing, regardless of race, creed or color — some of these experiences were universal,” she said.

For example, Ms. Hicks Barnes helped desegregate Lewes schools, “which is hard for a second grader,” but she survived the bus harassment, unfair educational policies and young motherhood with support and guidance from others.

“I think those things made me strong,” said Ms. Hicks Barnes, who earned two degrees and retired as a vice principal. “People hear ‘history’ and think it’s in a book. I am living history. It happened to me.”

Ms. Lewis, meanwhile, worked hard every day to climb the career ladder. Now a Dover business owner, she was Delaware State University’s first female sports information director in 1978 and then an ABC senior sports publicist.

“I had to prove every day that I could run a sports program. And I did,” she said. “Whatever I do, I give 100%.”

Dr. Ross Hollingsworth agreed.

“I learned you can do almost anything ... you want to do if you work hard enough,” said the sharp Milford native in her 90s, who has done everything from scouring junk heaps for bottle deposits to helping change laws through activism.

“When people think they’re doing something to hurt you, use your head. … Nine times out of 10, you’ll come through,” she added. “You don’t let that hurt you because that’s an indication of how they’re hurting. … You don’t let anyone else determine what you’re going to do with your life.”

Dr. Mishoe, a Baltimore native and the first woman to serve as DSU’s president and board chairperson, spoke of segregation in Dover.

“I never knew I was experiencing segregation until I came to Dover, Delaware,” she said. But she grew up a fighter, and she demanded to join the middle schoolers who integrated schools in the capital city.

“Sometimes, you have to step out on faith. … The rest of it is simply being prepared for opportunities when they present themselves and being ready to say ‘yes.’

“Don’t ever give up. (As an adult,) I learned a new way to fight, and we all have to because there’s still so much that needs to be fixed,” Dr. Mishoe said, adding that, despite America’s strides in gender and race, “it’s still a man’s world out there.”

History, diversity and inclusion should be part of the conversation, both at the dinner table and the boardroom table, said Dr. Gwanmesia, a former nurse and caregiver-turned-executive coach.

“It is not just February that we should be celebrating Black history. It should be 365 days,” she said.

The gathering was part of the Citywide Black History Celebration, for which the Delaware State News is a partner.

During the event at the arts center, which is managed by the Inner City Cultural League, audiences also enjoyed catering by the TOP FIVE BBQ! trailer, plus steel drum performances.

For more details on the 2022 Citywide Black History Celebration (plus interviews with several of the women above), pick up the 24-page program around town or here.

Other partners include the Biggs Museum of American Art, Delaware State University, the Dover Public Library, the First State Heritage Park, the Inner City Cultural League, DonDel Productions and the Sankofa Cultural Arts Center. Celebration sponsors are Chesapeake Utilities Corp. and the Dover Federal Credit Union. The virtual events sponsor is Bayhealth.

More information can be found here.