Beyond an appreciative look or an occasional word of thanks from her fellow Homewood residents, Mary Savage never expected any recognition for beautifying the neighborhood with her floral plantings. Well, she is getting it anyway—and she is delighted.

FLOWERING FRIENDSHIP— With her long-time friend Sarah Garnett, Mary Savage takes a break from weeding daffodils in one of the 11 gardens she has created in Homewood. Savage is a finalist for the Jefferson Awards Volunteer of the Year.

Savage, who has been planting floral arrangements, reclaiming vacant lots and beautifying whole blocks throughout her neighborhood for more than 20 years, is a finalist for a Jefferson Award for Public Service. She is one of seven finalists for Most Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. But don’t call her “the flower lady.”

“That makes it sound like it’s easy,” said Savage. “We’ve hauled all kinds of things out of these lots—refrigerators, tires, shopping carts, even stoves.”

OK ladies and gents, how many of you read the story circulated around the world about the median wealth of Black women? In case you missed it in short it stated that White women in the prime working years of ages 36-49 have a median wealth of $42,600 (still only 61 percent of their White male counterparts), the median wealth for Black women is only $5.

Once they get past their childbearing/rearing years, single Black women do better. Their net worth rises to nearly $60,000 for the 50-65 group. But single White women show a greater increase in net worth across the two age groups, of nearly $70,000.

Church anniversary

APRIL 21—Prayer & Deliverance COGIC, 1116 Amity St., Homestead, will host their 11th Church Anniversary at 7 p.m.  The theme is “Bring Forth the Witness.” The event will run through April 23 and April 25 at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will be  various speakers. For more information, call 412-461-5662.

Health fair

APRIL 22—The Health & Wellness Ministry of Sixth Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 6556 Shetland St., East Liberty, will host a Health Fair from 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. The guest speaker will discuss how to identify the early signs of dementia and what to do about it and programs that help pay for medical care and prescription drugs. This is a free event. Registration is requested. There will also be a 10th Pastoral Anniversary worship service at 10:45 a.m. with guest Rev. Dwight Jones. For more information, call 412-441-7839 or visit www.sixthmountzion.org.

Nomination deadline

APRIL 23—The deadline for The New Pittsburgh Courier’s “50 Women of Excellence” nominations is 5 p.m. This is your chance to select Pittsburgh’s powerbrokers in the church, arts, business, politics, nonprofits, law, sports, philanthropy, health care, education and media. Nominations are welcome from individuals, businesses, professional/fraternal groups or neighborhood and community organizations. Nominations must be mailed or hand delivered to the New Pittsburgh Courier, Attn.: 50 Women of Excellence, 315 E. Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219; faxed to (412) 481-1360; or e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the close of business and must include your name, telephone number and, in 200 words or less, explain how the metro Pittsburgh resident of your choice has made significant contributions in their field of expertise. For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Prayer brunch

APRIL 24—The Women’s Day Committee of St. James AME Church, 444 Lincoln Ave., East Liberty, will host a Pre-Women’s Day Brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All are welcome to come and enjoy food and prayerful worship. The cost is $10. For more information, call 412-244-9706.

Rummage/dinner sale

APRIL 24—New Jerusalem Holiness Church, 111 Auburn St., East Liberty, will host their This ‘N That Rummage & Chicken Dinner Sale from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tables are $10 and chicken dinners are $6. For more information, call 412-441-9495 or 412-370-8947.

Prayer brunch

APRIL 24—The Dorcus Society of the Holy Cross Church, 7507 Kelly St., Homewood, will host a Prayer Brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The speaker will be Rev. Carmen Harwell and Tonya Moore McGee will provide music. Tickets are $25. For more information, call Louise Davis at 412-661-5624.

Women’s day

APRIL 25—Morningside Baptist Church, 4846 Sullivan St., Morningside, will host their Annual Women’s Day at 11 a.m. The theme is “Set Time Is Coming Stay In Faith.” The guest speaker will be Rev. Rose Johnson Thompson. There will also be a 3 p.m. service with guest Minister Karen Murray and The Ethan Temple Seven Day Adventist Church Choir. Dinner will be served immediately following the morning service. For more information, call 412-361-1724.

Revival

APRIL 26—Trinity AME Church, 2700 Wylie Ave., Hill District, will host a Revival at 7 p.m. The theme is “It’s Time to Take Over.” The Word will come from Rev. Wanda Sawyer. For more information, call 412-621-9750.

Women’s conference

MAY 1—The Center for Urban Biblical Ministry and Baptist Temple Church, 7241 Race St., Homewood, will host “It’s Your Time! Unlock the Doors!” Women in Ministry Conference from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The conference is for unlocking the doors of women in the ministry through an examination of historical, cultural, theological and denominational aspects of women in ministry. There will be several workshops and lunch will be provided. The event is free. For more information, call 412-247-9010 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The best way to describe the 47th annual Need Benefit Dinner-themed “Leading the Way” is you had to be there.

SHINING STARS— Anthony Hawkins, Royce Tipper and Malik Johnson.

On March 15 at the Pittsburgh Hilton, more than 900 guests were there and witnessed 42 students receive over $200,000 in scholarships. The deserving students represented the region, not just the city of Pittsburgh.

This year’s recipient of the Rho Boule (Sigma Pi Phi) $20,000 ($5,000 each year for four years) scholarship was Armani Davis, a senior at Steel Valley High School with a 3.31 GPA. His activities included drama club, yearbook, school newspaper, the environmental club and captain of the football team for three years. Davis is the first member of his family to attend college.