When Megan Woods stepped onto the stage in Houston, Texas, in February as Oakwood University’s representative for the United Negro College Fund pageant, she carried more than a title. She carried generations of family history, the prayers of her community and a conviction that God had opened a door.
In February, Megan was crowned Ms. UNCF, helping Oakwood bring home the national title for the first time in 56 years. For Megan, a fifth-generation Oakwoodite, the honor connected deeply with her family legacy. Her grandfather Edward Woods, Jr. had worked with alumni relations, the office that houses UNCF at Oakwood, and she saw the opportunity as a way to honor him while leaving her own mark on campus.
But the journey stretched her.
Megan had never competed in a pageant before. The process required fundraising, an interview, an oratorical speech, a stage walk and a talent. At first, she was uncertain about what talent she could offer. She did not want to sing or dance. Instead, she chose storytelling, sharing a personal story about her grandfather’s death and the power of people’s stories to help others heal and remember.
That confidence, she said, did not begin on a pageant stage. It was formed in several churches.
“Growing up in the church, sitting in a pew as a bystander was never something my parents allowed,” Megan said. From Sabbath School to children’s story, scripture reading, offering, hospitality, AV and eventually preaching her first sermon while in high school, Megan learned early from her parents, Edward and Donnarie Woods, that faith was something to live, not watch from the sidelines.
That foundation continued at Andrews Academy, where she served as class pastor her freshman year, student association religious vice president her sophomore year, student association president her junior year and senior class vice president her senior year.
Megan also credits Pastor Lindsey Pratt at Pioneer Memorial Church with helping shape her confidence and willingness to lead. Pratt, she said, poured into her, believed in her and made sure she had safe opportunities to grow. Her church family at Highland Avenue Church in Benton Harbor and Bethel Community Church in Lansing also remained part of the support system that helped shape who she became.
The pageant journey began while Megan was studying in Spain during her junior year of college. She prayed about what mark God wanted her to leave at Oakwood. UNCF came to mind, but being overseas made campaigning difficult. Still, the opportunity opened.
“I was like, ‘God, if you want this to work out, it has to be you,’” Megan said. “There’s no way I can do this. I don’t feel adequate.” Later, as doors continued to open, she prayed, “God, do this in such a way that only you get the glory from all of this.”
Throughout the process, Megan said God gave her peace. Even with fundraising, preparation and the pressure of representing Oakwood, she sensed the experience was bigger than herself.
Now, after graduating from Oakwood, Megan is taking that same faith into her next chapter. This fall, she will attend the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to pursue pediatric nephrology, caring for children with kidney disease.
For Megan, each opportunity remains a gift to steward.
“It’s a privilege,” she said. “Anytime you’re given this opportunity to serve God in unconventional ways, it’s a privilege.”
Debbie Michel is editor of the Lake Union Herald.