Our 2019 Annual Iva Voldase Gala Honoree
Sister Iva Sneed Voldase, A Hidden Figure
A Hidden Figure To our dear Sister Iva Sneed Voldase; we honor you as one of our genuine Hidden Figures! We recognize that you began your military career in 1954 and has had an impressive career in military defense, rocket engineering, software engineering and as a space technician. Just as impressive, and clearly as one of the Hidden Figures, you began your career in engineering with fighter jets and wind tunnel testing - all the while, being one of two black women involved. You dealt with Sound Barrier Fur Fighter Jets, Super Sonic Jets, ESSI (European System and Software Initiative) computers, Second Port of Carriers Exploration, missile and space rocket engines, aerospace and NASA projects.
We honor and recognize your work for the Lord; a better than 50-year Christian eagle that stirs the nest. As a member of the Normandie Church of Christ located in Los Angeles, CA , you have served as the education coordinator for the Normandie College and Senior High Sunday School Department, as the coordinator for several events within the congregation; some include coordinating the church annual black history celebration, education emphasis month, the baptismal clothes ministry and zone leader for the South Bay area of Southern California. We honor and recognize your service as the Assistant General Coordinator and General Coordinator for the United Christian Women’s Seminars in California, Board member of the Bowser Associated Women for Southwestern Christian College, secretary for the Churches of Christ Annual National Christian Singles Seminar and National Motivational Speaker. We honor and recognize your service as a community activist living in Carson, California and a California resident for more than 60 years, past president of the Compton National Council of Negro Women and president of the Carson Black Heritage Association, outspoken community activist spear-heading community and cultural events that fostered bring awareness and civility to all cultures in the city and to foster understanding among all residents. We honor and recognize your tenacity Sister Iva, as a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, a retired aerospace software engineer, mother, grandmother, and woman who has traveled extensively both nationally and internationally. And now, on Behalf of the National Christian Singles Seminar, the Executive Team, 40th Avenue Church of Christ, Schrader Lane Church of Christ and the Normandie Church of Christ Membership, we Salute You and Honor You Sister Iva Voldase.
Our 2019 Iva Voldase Gala Keynote Speaker
Roderic Armstrong
Roderic Armstrong is the assistant minister at the 40th Avenue Church of Christ under the tutelage of Dr. Charles A. Beaman. Roderic is a graduate of the Nashville School of Preaching and Biblical Studies, which has afforded him the opportunity to preach in many congregations and conferences across the great state of Tennessee. Roderic completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Tennessee State University obtaining both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Nursing. Roderic later completed graduate studies at the Owen’s School of Business at Vanderbilt University obtaining a Master’s of Management in Healthcare Degree. Roderic loves people and is passionate about sharing his love of God’s word with others. He considers himself a simple servant of God striving to make heaven his home and help others get there as well. Roderic is currently the manager of the Pediatric Hematology Oncology & Stem Cell Transplant Unit at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He strives to share the love of Christ to patients and families experiencing a very dark hour in their life. In spite of an unfortunate diagnosis of pediatric cancer, Roderic utilizes this setback to provide families with the hope that resides in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Roderic serves as the president of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Society of Pediatric Nurses. He also enjoys coaching softball within the Smyrna Fastpitch league and functions as the upper level league commissioner. Roderic coaches an 8U recreational and travel softball team. He leverages his role as coach to teach life skills through the sport of softball, interweaving biblical concepts to provide young players with a lifelong resource in Jesus. Roderic has been married to Latika for 12 years. They have one daughter, Kyndal and several god-children that they love to spend time with.
