This story is part of a partnership between the Montgomery Advertiser and the Living Democracy program at Auburn University. Now in its 13th year, the program disperses students across rural Alabama to spend 10 weeks learning more about the inner workings of the community and writing about what they observe.
CAMDEN − Kawanna Pledger’s lifetime of serving her community lead to the next step when she assumed a two-year term as president of the board of directors of the Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce May 1.
Pledger's vision for the future is focused on developing community events. The first big event came June 21 when the chamber hosted the Summer Sip, Shop, and Stroll event to promote local businesses. Multiple businesses in Camden participated by offering incentives and special deals.
Later this year, Pledger said she hopes to bring the annual Christmas parade back to the downtown area. “I think that would be a big thing for us,” she said, as it would be held in conjunction with the annual Christmas in Camden events. Other plans include hosting events such as a drive-up movie event.
At 45, Pledger currently works in accounts payable material management at J. Paul Jones Hospital. In addition to plans for the chamber, her personal goals include returning to school to train as a nurse or an educator.
“The goal is never to give up, never quit,” she said.
Monique Singleton, a coworker of Pledger’s at the Camden hospital, described her as a “Jack of all trades.” Pledger is active in her church, Magnolia Baptist Church, BAMA Kids, and the local Woodmen Life chapter.
Her community involvement started at a young age. As a student at Wilcox County High School, she played basketball as well as playing clarinet and cheering on the pep squad.
Her most formative experience was working with the Jaguar Club, a volunteer school group that participates in community clean-ups, parades and events while emphasizing civic leadership.
After graduating, she joined the VISTA program through the AmeriCorps, typically a two-year contract. Due to her work with mentor Sheryl Threadgill at the Department of Human Resources, she was offered another year to assist families in rural Alabama with job readiness.
Today, she continues to work alongside Threadgill at BAMA Kids, teaching dance classes from African to Hip Hop. “I don’t think I could sit down,” Pledger said.
Samantha Gomez, judicial assistant at the Wilcox County Courthouse and a friend of Pledger, described her as inspirational. “If there is any way for her to serve, she does,” Gomez said.
Seeing her role as chamber board president as another opportunity, Pledger said she hopes to “give the people within the community something positive to do with different activities for everyone to enjoy.”
Naomi Taylor, aLiving Democracy student at Auburn University, is living and learning this summer in Camden, Alabama, as a Jean O'Connor Snyder Intern with the David Mathews Center for Civic Life. The nonprofit program, coordinated by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts, prepares undergraduate college students for civic life through living-learning experiences in the summer.
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