"Legacy, Tell the Story, Pass It on." That was the theme of the Annual '100 Women in White' service at the Grace Methodist Church onSunday.

Three women who have made stellar contributions to their church and community were singled out for honours. Presented with bouquets, in words and flowers, or as the guest speaker Rev. Mrs. Lynette Rayner said, flowers while they can smell them, were Sis Carolyn M. Walker, Sis Violet Brangman and Sis Cloretta Annie Harvey.

The Worship Leader, Sis Winifred Bean, set the tone for the afternoon early in the service when welcoming Premier Paula Cox and worshippers from all over the Island. She asked all the ladies in the congregation to stand and, to applause, she declared: "Premier Cox, we have your back!"

The Premier said later the 100 Ladies in White were making a powerful statement in themselves. She described them as sowers of seeds in "passing on the legacy", through their strength and faith. She then read Mya Angelou's stirring poem, 'Still I Rise', and reiterated her own philosophy that "nobody in Bermuda is disposable".

Pastor Rayner said the Grace Church families, through its 100 Women in White, were doing the right thing in citing the ladies they single out. She observed how so many good things are said at funerals about persons in caskets, whereas giving persons 'flowers' while they could smell them had greater significance.

Legacy can have a powerful effect on the receiver, said Pastor Rayner, adding a personal legacy could be more positive than a material one. The old folks used to stress, "show me your company and I'll tell you who you are", and their emphasis on saying, "let the life you live speak for you".

Honoree Sis Walker was cited for being the actual founder of the 100 Women in White Annual Service seven years ago, when her husband, the Rev. Allen Walker, Sr., was the pastor of Grace Church and she was the church's 'first lady'.

The mother of two daughters, Sherrie and Jennifer, and son Allen, Jr., daughter Sherrie paying tribute, said their homestead has many adopted children here in Bermuda and the United States. She recently retired after 20 years at Residential Treatment Services in Government's Department of Child and Family Services.

The eldest daughter of the late Vernon (Peter) and Anna Fox, Mrs Walker was profiled as having been eager, curious, spirited, strong-willed and fiery with red hair to match as a child. As an adolescent, she was wilful, bold, opinionated, determined and very stylish. And now, she has developed into a poised, refined, persistent, focused, fashionably stylish and accomplished woman.

woman. Honoree Violet Brangman was cited for community services and contributions to her church and the Bermuda school system as Head of Business Education in the Department of Education responsible for updating the syllabuses in Business subjects. She obtained a certificate in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Toronto, Canada; a Teacher's Certificate in Business Education from Garnet College, London, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from the University of Ohio in the US.

Ms Brangman retired from teaching in 1994 after serving at Devonshire Academy, Whitney Institute, Clearwater High School and the Bermuda College. She is a faithful worshipper at St. Monica's Mission. She has indulged her interest in music, singing with the Bermuda Philharmonic Chorus in concerts in Bermuda, the US and England.

A prominent member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity (IOFMU), Ms Brangman is a Past Provincial Grand Master of the Hamilton District of the Order, and currently the District's provincial treasurer. She was a member of the Bermuda delegation that attended bicentennial celebrations in Manchester, northern England of the Unity earlier this year.

Sis Cloretta Harvey, a worker in local hospitality industries, was singled out for the Grace Church Service Award. She was cited for her contributions in church fundraising efforts and reliability and expertise in the hospitality aspects of the social and cultural activities at her church.