The 39th Annual Madam C.J. Walker Awards Luncheon was headlined by Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Champion Coach Autumn Lockwood

Based on what many attendees said as they were leaving the Downtown Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel on April 26, 2025, after the 39th annual Madam C.J. Walker Awards Luncheon--the event was a major hit.

- Thera Martin

Some 780 guests packed into the ballroom at the hotel to celebrate the memory of Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first self-made millionaire, and to also celebrate outstanding women of today.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, PA Chapter, recalled how she used to be a very active member of the group before becoming the Mayor. She also spoke of how we are living in an era of "eration," emphasizing the "Train Ride" with Sylvia (referring to the first president of the PA chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women) is so significant in my mind because we are living in an era of eration--intentional eration. When you come in here and see each and every one of you participating in today's event, you are continuing the legacy of leadership that is the result of the train ride. I want to say thank you for remembering the culture and remembering the history. I can’t stop thinking about the women on whose shoulders we stand, who made it possible for us to all be here. As we move forward in our lives, on a daily basis, if each of us fights the fight in the lanes where we serve that are most applicable to us, let us remember that we are not alone. There’s enough for everyone, sisters in particular, as long as we have each other’s back and we remember that there’s enough for everyone--there is nothing that we cannot accomplish together.”