By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
This weekend the Guild, the Seattle Metropolitan Urban League’s volunteer organization, held its first inaugural ‘Trailblazing Black Women In Washington’ Gala.
Held at the African American Museum, the event honored the leadership of several Black women in Seattle, including Dr. Sarah Pritchett-Goodman, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources of the Seattle Public Schools; Michelle Merriweather, President of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Dr. Elizabeth Waco, CEO of Swedish Hospital and Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingworth. Also honored was Marilyn Morgan author of the book ‘Trailblazing Black Women of Washington State’ in which the event was named after.
The evening was hosted by Chelsea Riddick-Most, Director of Programs and Events for the Seattle Center, who brought warmth and humor to the event. The ballroom was filled with laughter, community pride, and vibrant energy, complemented by soulful music and the spread of delicious soul food. Attendees celebrated in an atmosphere of joy and recognition.
As a historian, Morgan said her motivation to write the book came after watching the film “Hidden Figures,” which told the story of the Black women mathematicians who played a crucial role in the U.S. space program — a history she hadn’t known.
“I was mortified that I didn’t know who these women were,” Morgan said. “Ever since then, I made it my mission to find the unsung heroes in our community.”
Reflecting on the gala, Morgan spoke about the importance of representation and how the experience of gathering with so many Black women leaders felt empowering.
“When I was growing up, I never knew that there were so many great Black women because I wasn’t taught that,” she said. “So it is great to have everybody in one room and share our experiences.”
Among the honorees, Dr. Wako expressed humility and gratitude, emphasizing that her recognition was a reflection of the collective efforts of her colleagues at Swedish Hospital.
“I am just incredibly honored to be one of the inaugural honorees and for this award,” says Waco. “It is an honor to be recognized by these incredible women as a leader in the community and it really is more than I could ever aspire to be. What makes me feel even more honored is that I have accomplished many things in my life but when your community stands up and says you have done something nothing feels better than that.”
“I stand on the shoulders of so many amazing men and women at Swedish that deliver compassion and care and give away pieces of themselves every day for the community,” added Wako. “This award is really reflective of the work that they do.”
For Dr. Pritchett-Goodman, a Seattle native and Franklin High School alumna, the award was a testament to the strength and support of her community. She credited her success to her passion for education and the opportunities she has had to give back.
“For me this honor is such a wonderful testament to the work of our education community,” says Pritchett-Goodman. “It is such an honor to awarded for the work that I am doing with the school district, which is a passion of mine, and for the community to see that and honor me is a blessing.”
Councilmember Hollingsworth also shared her appreciation, acknowledging the legacy of those who paved the way for her.
“I am walking in the amazing footsteps of all of the people who came before me,” she said. “Especially my grandmother, so I am really honored, and I am looking forward to continuing to build this legacy.”
The celebration also carried an emotional surprise for Merriweather, who expressed her astonishment upon learning that she was being honored. Known for her dedication to community service, she spoke passionately about the importance of recognizing and uplifting Black women.
“Events like are important because we are celebrating our sisters,” says Merriweather. “Celebrating Black women who are so often in the background and deserve to be in the limelight. Especially right now, when so much is happening, we deserve to be celebrated and honored.”
“Truthfully, the Guild surprised me,” admitted Merriweather. “I like to celebrate others; I don’t need honor and celebration to do the work that I do. I consider it an honor in itself to do the work. So, when our Guild, our volunteers, are celebrating me, it is supposed to be the other way around.”
Guild volunteers, also known as “Guilders,” are considered the heart of the Urban League movement. They are actively involved in the community, serving as mentors and tutors, helping people develop leadership skills, and supporting Urban League initiatives. Their dedication strengthens the connection between the organization’s mission and the communities it serves.
In a time when Black unity and the telling of Black stories are essential, Morgan underscored the importance of preserving history. She called on others to remain curious and committed to learning.
“Continue to learn,” she urged. “Continue to learn about our history. As we can see from the events of today, our history at any moment can be erased, and it is up to us to safeguard our history and to learn and honor our ancestors.”
Collette Robinson, President of the Guild, expressed just how in “awe” she was being in the presence of some Seattle’s leading Black women and how exciting the first celebration of Washington’s Black women as Women’s History Month came to a end.
“I am excited and honored to represent the Guild,” says Colette Robinson, President of the Guild. “This is our first Trailblazing Black Women of Washington, our inaugural. I am in awe in being in the presence of such magnificent, strong women, as we close out Women’s History Month.”
Source: Seattle Medium
