Our Written Expressions of SeeingGrowth.com
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Words are powerful enough to touch lives and souls in ways that we could never begin to imagine, but unspoken words and unexpressed feelings never reach their full potential until they are shared with others. There are people that can relate to your emotions, opinions, ideas, and they appreciate the fact that you shared your thoughts with them. Words build bridges, words build communities, words build relationships, and words build character.
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Reach someone with your words and allow others the opportunity to reach you by sharing your written expressions on SeeingGrowth.com. Your words might be the motivation that it takes to inspire one of our future authors, one of our future screenwriters, one of our future professional speakers, one of our future journalists…. Become that powerful example, because we have to be examples of what we really want to see. Your positive example could create inspiration, inspiration creates focus, focus creates clear visions, and clear visions create accomplishments. The words that you share might be something that you have created to pass time, but those same words might be the spark that ignites someone flame. Share your words with SeeingGrowth.com and it’s visitors today.
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In: Enjoy Our Written Expressions · Tagged with: accomplishments, build bridges, character, communities, cooperative growth, each one – reach one, emotions, ideas, inspiration, journalists, opinions, professional speakers, relationships, SeeingGrowth.com, touch lives, unexpressed feelings, unspoken words, vision
“LIVING IN FEAR” Part ll by Ta’Nisha G
The conclusion…
By the time I arrived home I was confused, hurt and angry but still in what I thought to be love when the phone rang. It was him crying, confessing his love for me and the baby while promising that it would never happen again, so needless to say I forgave him.
The abuse didn’t stop and I became pregnant with yet another child. Thinking to myself “I’ve got to make this work we have children, I can’t do this alone”. The sad truth was that I had been doing it alone all the time.
Things got worst in the three years as time went on. One black eye became two black eyes, then busted swollen lips, my head being slammed into store front windows, fighting while naked due to not wanting to perform anal sexual acts and finally the strangling. I’d had just about all I could take when he trapped me in my own house and beat me constantly for about 4 hours straight. Stomping, pinching, kicking, dragging and strangling me as though I were nothing but a rag doll. My face was swollen and I had knots and bruises all over my head and body. I ached from head to toe. I could barely see because my eyes had blood streaks all through them from being beaten in the head and strangled so much.
The only thing that stopped this man (boy) from killing me was my son walking up while he was strangling me to near death saying “daddy what are you doing to my mommy?!!!” He finally left me alone physically but the mental went on all night long. I was taunted by him saying things like… “Bitch if you call the police on me I’ll give them a reason for coming, I’m going to kill your ass. I know where you go to school and I’ll be waiting for you sooner or later.” and “Nobody wants your fat ass but me so your best bet is to just love me and be fucking happy with it”. All of this was worst than him hitting me we all know that words hit harder than a fist ever could, along with believing his promises of killing me I didn’t know what to do, I felt like I had no way out.
Then to top it off he wanted to bathe me and have sex with me. In my mind I was thinking I don’t want his hands on me ever again the thought of him touching made me sick to my stomach. I hurried up and grabbed my baby to get in the tub with me as he proceeded to try to soothe me by giving me ibuprofen for the pain. Ain’t that a trip now he wanted to make me feel better.
I waited for him to go to sleep which never happened , every time I moved he was just like Lawrence Fishburn in What’s Love Got To Do With It… “where you going, what you doing? as though he was reading my mind. You see I had planned to kill him!!!
I had a hair thinner from cosmetology school which is a straight razor with a metal comb piece that you could slide off very easily and that’s just what I did… slid the comb off and waited like a lioness after her prey.
God must have been with me that night. I had my mind set on cutting him long deep and wide, but I would probably have been in jail for life because of premeditation. He never went to sleep and got up around 4:25 a.m. as if he knew I wasn’t going to take it anymore it was like he had some kind of awakening and left.
Still afraid that he would keep his promise I didn’t leave my house for 31 days out of sheer fear.
My dream of cosmetology school was over! After 30 consecutive absences you were automatically dropped and could not reapply because it was the Pell Grant which had gotten me in.
When I finally saw a doctor I was told that I was near death just inches away from it in fact when I explained that I felt myself about to lose control of all my bodily functions and he saw the state of the vessels in my eyes. It was in that moment I knew that “God was with me!!!”
One day I woke up and decided that I wasn’t going to be a prisoner in my own home any longer. I went and got an order of protection and began a life of “NEW FOUND FREEDOM”!!!
Since then I met someone else had two more children and moved on from that relationship also because he had problems with emotional and mental violence. The problems exist but I still try to be civil for the children, sometimes it doesn’t work because of the person he is, but you live and you learn.
I am renewed and it feels good to know that I can say what I want to say and feel how I want to feel without being hit because of it. It didn’t happen overnight but it happened.
I LOVE ME…..
With all my fat rolls and imperfections whatever they may be
I LOVE ME!!!
After I got myself together I worked at a shelter for women of domestic violence here in Rockford, Illinois and I loved every minute of helping the women try to overcome as I had.
I feel as if I can reach just one woman and she realizes that she too can get out of the situation and start over and start over I’ve done my job in passing on the blessing.
Letting her know that she doesn’t need his permission, she doesn’t need any ones permission to live a healthy, happy life free of violence and she can survive without him or any man who doesn’t treat her like The QUEEN God designed her to be because…
“SHE IS SOMEBODY!!!”
Somebody special with a voice, a mind and free to make her own decisions and not be punished for exercising her right and will as a human being.
This is some of the most important advise you can give a woman who is in a domestic violence situation of any kind.
In: Enjoy Our Written Expressions, Tanisha G · Tagged with: change, FREEDOM, hope, individuality, refreshed, renewed, self-worth, Tanisha G
Moving Forward – Public Service Announcement From SEEINGGROWTH.COM
There is no progress and growth without action and movement!!!
You and those that you are in contact with could be a rich resource for positive Black History within our communities. SeeingGrowth.com needs your help to ensure that this Black History reaches the masses and especially the youth in high-risk environments through the Seeing Growth 365 – Black Women and Black Men Making History Program.
You should share your positive contributions, ask others to share their positive contributions, and combine your efforts to become stronger positive presences in our communities.
You can and will be a positive example by indirectly counseling and supporting those who seek to change their lives through the provision of positive alternatives.
This is your chance to adopt, mentor, and open safe havens for the youth in our communities in an indirect way without making drastic changes to your lifestyle.
SeeingGrowth.com is looking to work with Black Men and Black Women who:
- Work to improve the quality of life within the Black American community.
- Address the importance of issues of homelessness (domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, housing shortage, and unemployment) within the communities in which we live and serve.
- Represent Black People and projects that address the issues, concerns and celebrations of the Black American community.
- Use numerous tools to promote self-esteem, responsibility, and analytical thinking among at-risk kids.
- Promote equity in all aspects of life, and excellence in public service.
- Serve as advocates for commerce in the Black American community.
- Develop and promote alternative strategies for educational and career development of Black People.
- Are family organizations that provides cultural, social, civic and recreational activities that stimulate and expand the mind to enhance life.
- Provide educational opportunities to outstanding young Black Women and Men.
- Works to increase the number of Black Americans owning, developing, managing and operating business that serve our communities.
- Provide and promote spiritual bases for Black Women and Men.
We believe that community-level participation along with the participation of educational institutions, government officials, community organizations, faith leadership, police, street-level community outreach, and media can make this endeavor a successful one. Through these channels we can begin changing community norms while we promote alternatives to negative images.
A strong public effort to instill in people the message that the strengthening of our communities must begin with us and continue through our youth is necessary for positive change. We must participate and encourage others to participate to accomplish the mission of presenting positive influences to our youth. We must tell our children about our good news, continue to provide them with positive influences and spread the word as far as we can possibly reach.
It is our goal to share these positive examples through our newspapers, our radio stations, our television stations, our schools, our churches, our magazines, our organizations and through every individual reading this message. By using these avenues we will be able to influence the ways our young people think and act – and begin to redirect them to positive pursuits, including jobs, job training, and returning to school.
If we are not moving forward we are standing still and falling behind.
To be continued indefinitely…..
Share your stories with SeeingGrowth.com http://seeinggrowth.com/Please-Share-Your-Story.php
In: Enjoy Our Written Expressions, Seeing Growth 365 · Tagged with: action and movement, Black Women and Black Men Making History, progress and growth, SeeingGrowth.com
Remembering The Legacy of the African American Woman by Historical Inspirations
I revised the “Remembering The Legacy of the African American Woman” in order to include First Lady Michelle Obama. I hope you enjoy the essay.
March is Women’s History Month. To commemorate Women’s History Month, I would like to discuss the role and future of African American Women. My observations make me believe that women have great power. Look at the wonderful examples of First Lady Michelle Obama and new CEO of Xerox, Ursula Burns. However, despite these wonderful examples, there is a special side note that I would like to offer to African American women. The side note is not meant to criticize. It is meant to inspire and to make you think. I hope that you enjoy the legacy essay.
Side Note: There are still challenges of jealousy, self-confidence, low self-esteem and self-image issues that we have to overcome. These issues cause us to hurt each other in the workplace, church, and many places. To resolve these issues, you have to ask yourself-Do you really believe in God? If so, then why spend time looking at another person’s gifts and becoming jealous. God created every person to have a special talent or gift, but you have to pray and ask God to reveal it to you. There is some special talent that you owe to society. It could be to become a great teacher, lawyer, doctor, youth minister, mother, business person, etc. Whatever the talent or gift, you are obligated to find it. When you are focused on your purpose, you do not have time to suffer from jealousy. Everyone has some ministry that they need to spread whether it be on a local, national or international level. As African American women, we come from a great legacy. To celebrate Women’s History Month, I decided to focus on the legacy of the African American woman. Here is an essay dedicated to the legacy of our greatness. BE PROUD TO BE A WOMAN FIRST AND THEN AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN!!!!
Remembering The Legacy of the African American Woman
Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Madame C.J. Walker, Mary McLeod Bethune, Barbara Jordan, Shirley Chisolm, Fannie Lou Hamer, Daisy Bates, Phyllis Wheatley, Althea Gibson, Wilma Rudolph, Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maxine Waters, Marva Collins, Shelia Jackson Lee, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnetta B. Cole, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Ann Fudge, Susan L. Taylor, Iyanla Vanzant, Mahalia Jackson, Patricia Roberts Harris, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Corretta Scott King, Betty Shabazz, Bessie Coleman, Margaret Walker Alexander, Marian Anderson, Ella Baker, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Jane M. Bolin, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Elizabeth Catlett, Alice Coachman, Rita Dove, Katherine Dunham, Jocelyn Elders, Charlayne Hunter Gault, Mother Hale, Lorraine Hansberry, The Right Reverend Barbara Harris, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Dorothy Height, Billie Holiday, Zora Neale Hurston, Judith Jamison, Hazel Johnson, Elaine Jones, The Reverend Barbara King, Mary Edmonia Lewis, Moms Mabley, Constance Baker Motley, Carol Moseley Braun, Jessye Norman, Hazel O’Leary, Ann Petry, Dorothy Porter, Leontyne Price, Mary Church Terrell, Cicely Tyson, Angela Bassett, Dinah Washington, Maggie Lena Walker, Ethel Waters, Ma Rainey, Edith Sampson, Bessie Smith, Mabel Staupers, Debbie Allen, CeCe Winans, Jennifer Hudson, First Lady Michelle Obama, Ursula Burns, Minister Ava Muhammad……..
I could sit and continue to write numerous names on the greatness of the African American woman. The names listed above represent a legacy of strength, courage, intellect, and wisdom that the African American woman has exhibited from past to present.
But….
Where did this legacy begin? It started in the year 1619 when our first mothers were brought to America. They were mistreated mentally and physically. Despite the cruelties, our mothers managed to maintain a legacy of courage, strength, and wisdom that has been ingratiated in the spirit of generations of African American women.
As a result….
When we examine the annals of history, we can see that the African American woman has been a pioneer or trailblazer in every field that they have pursued. Harriet Tubman created a trek to freedom as our Underground Railroad conductor. Sojourner Truth became a pioneer in the women’s suffrage movement. Madame C.J. Walker became the first self-made millionaire. Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Betty Shabazz, Sadie Tanner Mossell, Margaret Walker Alexander, Ella Baker, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Dorothy Height, and Corretta Scott King became pioneers in the Civil Rights Movement. Althea Gibson, Alice Coachman, and Wilma Rudolph became sports legends. Phyllis Wheatley, Zora Neale Hurston, and Gwendolyn Brooks became pioneers of writing. Dorothy Dandridge and Josephine Baker became pioneers of film. Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Mahalia Jackson became vocal pioneers of jazz and gospel. Mary McLeod Bethune, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Mary Church Terrell, and Nannie Helen Burroughs became pioneers in education. Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisolm became trailblazers in politics. Ida B. Wells Barnett was an editor and businesswoman. Jane M. Bolin became the first black woman judge in the United States. Elizabeth Catlett and Mary Edmonia Lewis became pioneer sculptors. Katherine Dunham became a pioneer in dancing. Lorraine Hansberry became a pioneer playwright. Patricia Roberts Harris became the first black woman to serve in a U.S. President’s cabinet. Leontyne Price and Marian Anderson became trailblazers in opera and classical music. Maggie Lena Walker became the first woman bank president. Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, and Ethel Waters became pioneers of the blues. Moms Mabley became a pioneer comedienne. Dorothy Porter became a pioneer librarian and curator. Ann Petry became a pioneer novelist. Edith Sampson became the first black delegate to the United Nations. I SALUTE OUR PAST PIONEERS AND TRAILBLAZERS!!!!
Now…..
In the new millennium, we still see the African American woman achieving excellence on all levels. We are political leaders such as Maxine Waters and Shelia Jackson Lee. We are CEO’s of major corporations such as Ann Fudge and Ursula Burns. We are motivational speakers such as Susan L. Taylor and Iyanla Vanzant. We are groundbreakers in sports such as Venus and Serena Williams. We are media trailblazers such as Oprah Winfrey. We are journalists such as Charlayne Hunter Gault. We are educators such as Johnetta B. Cole and Marva Collins. We are poets such as Rita Dove and Maya Angelou. We are ministers such as Reverend Johnnie Coleman and The Reverend Barbara King. We are federal judges such as Constance Baker Motley. We are generals in the military such as Hazel Johnson. We are choreographers such as Judith Jamison and Debbie Allen. We are opera singers such as Leontyne Price. We are actresses such as Cicely Tyson and Angela Bassett. We are bishops of the Episcopal Church such as The Right Reverend Barbara Harris. We are leaders in the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund such as Elaine Jones. We are singers such as CeCe Winans and Jennifer Hudson. We are ministers of Muslim mosques such as Minister Ava Muhammad. We are a role model, strong mother, strong wife and First Lady of the United States such as First Lady Michelle Obama.
Finally, I salute the legacy of the African American woman…..for your unique power of challenging us and making us bigger….for without you our legacy would be incomplete…..I SALUTE YOU!!!!
Continue to stay abreast of the events at Historical Inspirations at www.historicalinspirations.net/events.html.
v/r,
Carolyn Mattocks, M.P.A.
CEO/Founder, Historical Inspirations
Author, I Can Do Anything
www.historicalinspirations.net
In: Enjoy Our Written Expressions, Historical Inspirations, Seeing Growth 365 · Tagged with: Alice Coachman, Althea Gibson, Angela Bassett, Ann Fudge, Ann Petry, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Barbara Jordan, Bessie Coleman, Bessie Smith, Betty Shabazz, Billie Holiday, Carol Moseley Braun, CeCe Winans, Charlayne Hunter Gault, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Cicely Tyson, Constance Baker Motley, Corretta Scott King, Daisy Bates, Debbie Allen, Dinah Washington, Dorothy Dandridge, Dorothy Height, Dorothy Porter, Edith Sampson, Elaine Jones, Elizabeth Catlett, Ella Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Waters, Fannie Lou Hamer, First Lady Michelle Obama, Gwendolyn Brooks, Harriet Tubman, Hazel Johnson, Hazel O’Leary, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Iyanla Vanzant, Jane M. Bolin, Jennifer Hudson, Jessye Norman, Jocelyn Elders, Johnetta B. Cole, Josephine Baker, Judith Jamison, Katherine Dunham, Leontyne Price, Lorraine Hansberry, Ma Rainey, Mabel Staupers, Madame C.J. Walker, Maggie Lena Walker, Mahalia Jackson, Margaret Walker Alexander, Marian Anderson, Marva Collins, Mary Church Terrell, Mary Edmonia Lewis, Mary McLeod Bethune, Maxine Waters, Maya Angelou, Minister Ava Muhammad, Moms Mabley, Mother Hale, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Oprah Winfrey, Patricia Roberts Harris, Phyllis Wheatley, Rita Dove, Rosa Parks, Sarah Vaughn, Serena Williams, Shelia Jackson Lee, Shirley Chisolm, Sojourner Truth, Susan L. Taylor, The Reverend Barbara King, The Right Reverend Barbara Harris, Ursula Burns, Venus Williams, Wilma Rudolph, Zora Neale Hurston
“LIVING IN FEAR” by Ta’Nisha G
This will be the first of a two part story….
Believe it or not it’s about me and my triumph over domestic violence. My hopes in writing this is to help someone who is experiencing this tragedy which is a part of our society on a daily basis overcome the feelings of worthlessness and self doubt so that she/he to can be a living testimony to someone else if no one but her/his children. Yes it happens to men as well. If it is not of use to you pass it on to someone who it may be. We all know someone who is going through…
“LIVING IN FEAR”
It was the summer of 1990 when I had met and thought I’d fell in love with my abuser who is the biological father of my first two children.
I had been taking care of my brother who was a couple of months old and like my first child which is why I say I have 5 boys.
I thought he was perfect, everything I wanted and needed but at the age of 16 we all know what that’s like; no long term life standing goals are hardly made and stuck with at such a young age.
The abuse didn’t come right in the beginning, it came after the birth of our first child; which was all too soon! I’d gotten pregnant only 3-4 months into the relationship. I was living on the west side of Chicago when the baby was born in
February of 1991, he was living on the south side of Chicago. It had only been two weeks since the baby was born when he wanted me to come to his house for a visit with the baby and me, so being young and naive as most 16 year olds are (against my great -grandmothers wishes who felt I should still be in bed resting) I went. When I look back I regret every minute of it.
I remember arguing with him when I was getting ready to leave because he wasn’t ready for me to go, but the ride home was about 2 and a half hours long on the bus and then the transfer from one train to another which was underground. It was late and I insisted that I was leaving because I had to go alone. We were walking down the street in the slush and ice that was left behind from the heavy snow earlier in the week. He kept trying to take the baby saying ” You can go but my baby’s staying here with me.” Of course I refused to leave my newborn baby with him in a house full of what I knew to be irresponsible teenage boys who couldn’t even take care of themselves, let alone my child. We came to a busy intersection on a street named Stony Island which has 8 lanes 4 in each direction. He once again tried to take the baby and the baby and I almost fell.
That’s when it all happened!
He proclaimed that I was trying to hurt “his baby” so while I was trying to regain my balance he hit me in the eye. I had already had a lazy eye and sometimes had trouble focusing, but when he did that I saw stars literally. I was off balance and began to wonder off into the oncoming traffic trying to get away from him. I couldn’t believe that he had done such a thing to me “the mother of his child” especially while I was holding the baby in my arms.
I started to cry and scream frantically, I was hurt and scared so I did this in order to draw attention.
No one stopped to help me, but he finally ran off. I went to the payphone to call my sisters mother because she lived in the area and while I waited for her to come he kept coming around taunting me. When she arrived she was very upset and I can say would probably have killed him if she had found him.
In: Enjoy Our Written Expressions, Tanisha G · Tagged with: domestic violence, Fear, in, living, Tanisha G
“THE WOMEN” by Ta’Nisha G
An old woman walked down a path that life had led her to, as it has many times before only this time it was different because she saw someone doing something out of the ordinary.
The older woman saw a younger woman conversing with other women who were in despair as she once was herself and during the conversation she noticed that the young woman was saying inspirational words of encouragement, lifting the women’s spirits, helping them to recognize their self-worth and telling them that above all other than God love and belief in oneself is first and foremost if they wanted change.
Next she noticed that most of the women would start to cry and the young woman would hug them, smile and whisper “SAVE YOURSELF!” “Things will get better in time I know all too well what you are going through.”
The older woman did not quite understand what was going on but she did see a change in the lives of the women that the younger woman had touched; even if only for a moment.
Finally approaching the youthful woman the older woman asked, “Why are you doing this?”
Without hesitation the young woman answered …
“These women will suffer if they never know that someone cares someone understands”.
“But this path goes on for miles and there are millions of women in despair.
How can your efforts make a difference you are but one person?” replied the older woman.
The younger woman looked beside her at the woman whose hand was in hers and gave her inspirational words of encouragement…. hugged her, smiled, whispered in her ear and looked at the older woman and said…
“It makes a difference to this one!” In case you have not noticed there are others who follow with the same mission as mine!!!”
Written By: Ta’Nisha G.
Dedicated To: Women all over the world
Copyright 2000
~THROUGH IT ALL I REMAIN A ROSE~
In: Enjoy Our Written Expressions, Tanisha G · Tagged with: change, COURAGE, encouragement, faith, hope, love, recognize, Tanisha G, THE WOMEN, uplifting, women
Women’s History Month – Historical Inspirations
March is Women’s History Month. To commemorate Women’s History Month, I would like to discuss the role and future of African American Women. My observations make me believe that women have great power. Look at the wonderful examples of First Lady Michelle Obama and new CEO of Xerox, Ursula Burns. However, despite these wonderful examples, there is a special side note that I would like to offer to African American women. The side note is not meant to criticize. It is meant to inspire and to make you think. I hope that you enjoy the legacy essay.
Side Note: There are still challenges of jealousy, self-confidence, low self-esteem and self-image issues that we have to overcome. These issues cause us to hurt each other in the workplace, church, and many places. To resolve these issues, you have to ask yourself-Do you really believe in God? If so, then why spend time looking at another person’s gifts and becoming jealous. God created every person to have a special talent or gift, but you have to pray and ask God to reveal it to you. There is some special talent that you owe to society. It could be to become a great teacher, lawyer, doctor, youth minister, mother, business person, etc. Whatever the talent or gift, you are obligated to find it. When you are focused on your purpose, you do not have time to suffer from jealousy. Everyone has some ministry that they need to spread whether it be on a local, national or international level. As African American women, we come from a great legacy. To celebrate Women’s History Month, I decided to focus on the legacy of the African American woman. Here is an essay dedicated to the legacy of our greatness. BE PROUD TO BE A WOMAN FIRST AND AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN!!!!
Remembering The Legacy of the African American Woman
Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Madame C.J. Walker, Mary McLeod Bethune, Barbara Jordan, Shirley Chisolm, Fannie Lou Hamer, Daisy Bates, Phyllis Wheatley, Althea Gibson, Wilma Rudolph, Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maxine Waters, Marva Collins, Shelia Jackson Lee, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnetta B. Cole, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Ann Fudge, Susan L. Taylor, Iyanla Vanzant, Mahalia Jackson, Patricia Roberts Harris, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Corretta Scott King, Betty Shabazz, Bessie Coleman, Margaret Walker Alexander, Marian Anderson, Ella Baker, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Jane M. Bolin, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Elizabeth Catlett, Alice Coachman, Rita Dove, Katherine Dunham, Jocelyn Elders, Charlayne Hunter Gault, Mother Hale, Lorraine Hansberry, The Right Reverend Barbara Harris, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Dorothy Height, Billie Holiday, Zora Neale Hurston, Judith Jamison, Hazel Johnson, Elaine Jones, The Reverend Barbara King, Mary Edmonia Lewis, Moms Mabley, Constance Baker Motley, Carol Moseley Braun, Jessye Norman, Hazel O’Leary, Ann Petry, Dorothy Porter, Leontyne Price, Mary Church Terrell, Cicely Tyson, Angela Bassett, Dinah Washington, Maggie Lena Walker, Ethel Waters, Ma Rainey, Edith Sampson, Bessie Smith, Mabel Staupers, Debbie Allen, CeCe Winans, Jennifer Hudson, First Lady Michelle Obama, Ursula Burns, Minister Ava Muhammad……..
I could sit and continue to write numerous names on the greatness of the African American woman. The names listed above represent a legacy of strength, courage, intellect, and wisdom that the African American woman has exhibited from past to present.
But….
Where did this legacy begin? It started in the year 1619 when our first mothers were brought to America. They were mistreated mentally and physically. Despite the cruelties, our mothers managed to maintain a legacy of courage, strength, and wisdom that has been ingratiated in the spirit of generations of African American women.
As a result….
When we examine the annals of history, we can see that the African American woman has been a pioneer or trailblazer in every field that they have pursued. Harriet Tubman created a trek to freedom as our Underground Railroad conductor. Sojourner Truth became a pioneer in the women’s suffrage movement. Madame C.J. Walker became the first self-made millionaire. Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Betty Shabazz, Sadie Tanner Mossell, Alexander, Ella Baker, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Dorothy Height, and Corretta Scott King became pioneers in the Civil Rights Movement. Althea Gibson, Alice Coachman, and Wilma Rudolph became sports legends. Phyllis Wheatley, Zora Neale Hurston, and Gwendolyn Brooks became pioneers of writing. Dorothy Dandridge and Josephine Baker became pioneers of film. Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Mahalia Jackson became vocal pioneers of jazz and gospel. Mary McLeod Bethune, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Mary Church Terrell, and Nannie Helen Burroughs became pioneers in education. Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisolm became trailblazers in politics. Ida B. Wells Barnett was an editor and businesswoman. Jane M. Bolin became the first black woman judge in the United States. Elizabeth Catlett and Mary Edmonia Lewis became pioneer sculptors. Katherine Dunham became a pioneer in dancing. Lorraine Hansberry became a pioneer playwright. Patricia Roberts Harris became the first black woman to serve in a U.S. President’s cabinet. Leontyne Price and Marian Anderson became trailblazers in opera and classical music. Maggie Lena Walker became the first woman bank president. Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, and Ethel Waters became pioneers of the blues. Moms Mabley became a pioneer comedienne. Dorothy Porter became a pioneer librarian and curator. Ann Petry became a pioneer novelist. Edith Sampson became the first black delegate to the United Nations. I SALUTE OUR PAST PIONEERS AND TRAILBLAZERS!!!!
Now…..
In the new millennium, we still see the African American woman achieving excellence on all levels. We are political leaders such as Maxine Waters and Shelia Jackson Lee. We are CEO’s of major corporations such as Ann Fudge and Ursula Burns. We are motivational speakers such as Susan L. Taylor and Iyanla Vanzant. We are groundbreakers in sports such as Venus and Serena Williams. We are media trailblazers such as Oprah Winfrey. We are journalists such as Charlayne Hunter Gault. We are educators such as Johnetta B. Cole and Marva Collins. We are poets such as Rita Dove and Maya Angelou. We are ministers such as Reverend Johnnie Coleman and The Reverend Barbara King. We are federal judges such as Constance Baker Motley. We are generals in the military such as Hazel Johnson. We are choreographers such as Judith Jamison and Debbie Allen. We are opera singers such Cicely Tyson and Angela Bassett. We are bishops of the Episcopal Church such as The Right Reverend Barbara Harris. We are leaders in the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund such as Elaine Jones. We are singers such as CeCe Winans. We are ministers of Muslim mosques such as Minister Ava Muhammad.
Finally, I salute the legacy of the African American woman…..for your unique power of challenging us and making us bigger….for without you our legacy would be incomplete…..I SALUTE YOU!!!!
Continue to stay abreast of the events at Historical Inspirations at www.historicalinspirations.net/events.html.
v/r,
Carolyn Mattocks, M.P.A.
CEO/Founder, Historical Inspirations
Author, I Can Do Anything
www.historicalinspirations.net
In: Enjoy Our Written Expressions, Historical Inspirations · Tagged with: Historical Inspirations, Women’s History Month
