Women's History Month: Spotlight on Judge Yvette McGee Brown

Raised by a single mother on the Eastside of Columbus, Ohio, Yvette McGee Brown may not have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But as Proverbs 18:16 (NIV) says, "A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great."

I first met Yvette McGee Brown when she was the speaker at a luncheon sponsored by our sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was so polite, professional and poised; just what you'd expect from a member of AKA. 

Ohio has some amazing Women. One of them is Justice Yvette McGee Brown. Throughout her life, she has celebrated many First experiences:

*She was a First-generation college graduate;

*She was elected the First African-American women to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court; and

*She was the First African-American woman to serve as a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court.

Justice McGee Brown graduated from Ohio University with a degree in journalism/public relations. She would continue her education at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she earned her juris doctor. Justice McGee Brown also received honorary doctorate degrees from Ohio Dominican University, Wilberforce University and Central State University. 

Although Justice McGee Brown could have rested on her laurels, she chose a path of service. She has served as an active community and corporate leader, with the common theme of advocating for children and families. Justice McGee Brown served on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Ohio University, the OSU Wexner Medical Center and the National Council of the OSU Moritz College of Law. She is the former chair of the United Way of Central Ohio, The Ohio State University Alumni Association and the YWCA Columbus Board of Directors. Justice McGee Brown was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2008.

Yvette McGee Brown is married to Anthony Brown and at the time of this writing, they have three children and two grandchildren.

For more information on Justice Yvette McGee Brown, find books at your local library.

Women's History Month Spotlight: Marilyn McCoo

Many of us may remember Marilyn McCoo as the lead singer of the 5th Dimension, a popular singing group in the 1960's and 1970's. But her career began many years before that. I met Miss McCoo at a concert when I lived in Atlanta. It was such an awesome "sing-a-long" as the audience joined in to her big hits like, "Up,Up and Away", "Stoned Soul Picnic" and the song based on finding the love of her life, her husband Billy Davis Jr, entitled "Wedding Bell Blues".  She was phenomenal!

Marilyn McCoo was born on September 30, 1943 in Columbus, Georgia. At the age of 7, her family moved to Los Angeles. That's where Marilyn began to take dance, piano and vocal lessons and also modeling. By the time she was a teenager, she was already starting a professional career, making her debut on the Art Linkletter Talent Show. She would graduate from UCLA with a degree in business administration. In 1962, she entered the Miss Bronze California Beauty Pageant where she won Miss Grand Talent.

With her amazing gifts on display, Marilyn was asked to join various singing groups, which would eventually lead her to The Fifth Dimension. That's where she met her future husband, Billy Davis Jr. They were married in 1969.   The Fifth Dimension had much success, winning the Grammy for "Record of the Year" in 1969 for a melody of "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In". "One Less Bell to Answer was another memorable hit.

Although Marilyn and Billy parted from The Fifth Dimension in  1975, they continued to win awards including the Grammy for Best R&B Duo for "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)". They were also the first African American married couple to host a network television series, The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show on CBS in summer of 1977. Through the years, they have performed around the world. Remember when they appeared on The Jamie Foxx Show as the parents of Jamie's love interest, Fancy? Marilyn even starred on Broadway in a production of Show Boat.

And despite now being in her 80's, Marilyn McCoo has not slowed down. She recently appeared in the remake of the Christmas special: The Waltons' Homecoming. 

For more information about Marilyn McCoo please find books at your local library.

Women's History Month: Spotlight on Susan L. Taylor

If you are a Black woman of a "certain age" and you lived through the 1980's, you remember the hair styles, the fashion and the monthly editorial in Essence Magazine. And what made those editorials so memorable were the words of it's Editor-in-Chief, Susan L. Taylor.  Although she had worked for Essence in various capacities prior to that appointment in 1981, that opportunity is where many felt she became the face, voice and vision of Essence. 

She was brilliant, beautiful and bold! I so admired Susan Taylor. I wanted to be Susan Taylor! Her monthly "In the Spirit" message brought the Black woman's narrative to life. She shared exactly what Black women were talking about: Empowerment and Dignity, Social Justice and Action, Black Love and Unity. And when you saw her on television, she would captivate the audience with her poise and her voice. She was and still is such a role model for women of any age.

When I had the opportunity to meet her, I was more than thrilled! Susan Taylor was so urbane and polished. She spoke as if we'd known each other for years. It was like talking to one of your girlfriends over lunch. Such a self-assured, confident woman. At that time she had just written her book "In the Spirit" and when I asked her for her autograph, she didn't hesitate. The book was so transparent. It showed that real life has real struggles, however if we hold on to our faith, we will make it to the other side! I still reference that book to this day when I'll looking for inspiration.

Susan L. Taylor was born in Harlem New York on January 23, 1946.  She is an author, journalist and writer. Susan served as the Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine from 1981-2000. American Libraries magazine has called her "The most influential Black woman in journalism today". Various organizations have honored her over the years including the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, New York Women in Communications and the American Society of Magazine Editors. Susan was the first African-American woman to receive the Magazine Publishers of America, Henry Johnson Fisher Award; considered one of the industry's highest honors. 

Although she has had some health battles along the way, even now at the age of 80, Susan continues to have influence. She is the Founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement, established to recruit, train and deploy mentors for Black children; with a focus on breaking cycles of inter-generational poverty.

For more information about Susan L. Taylor, please get books at your local library.

Women's History Month: Spotlight on Coretta Scott King

When I attended college, worked and lived in Atlanta, Georgia, I was blessed to meet so many celebrities, political figures and activists . One person who left me totally in awe was Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Yes...THAT Coretta Scott King. 

When I worked at CNN (Cable News Network) in Atlanta, everyday there would be a well-known personality walking into the building. At that time, Mrs. King would come to CNN to record a weekly commentary related to a current event or a "hot topic" that had the public's interest. One week when Mrs. King arrived I was determined to meet her, but I was so nervous. This was the wife of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She had marched along side him, survived their house being fire-bombed, kept her head held high as she was subjected to extreme violence and racist name calling. Unimaginable things that I don't think I could have handled with the style and grace she exhibited.  This was Civil Rights Royalty. On the day she arrived, I mustered up the courage, walked up to her and introduced myself. I wish I could remember exactly what I said, but I was so nervous I'm sure I sounded like a babbling idiot. Whatever I said, she was so friendly. So from that time on, when she came to CNN, after she would finish her recording, we would talk. We eventually become so comfortable chatting, she invited me to volunteer in her office at the King Center. I'd go every week and help, answer the phone or file some paperwork. Just being in her presence made me think "Wow! I know Mrs. Coretta Scott King and she knows me"! I learned so much being in her presence. After everything she had experienced, she was always thinking how she could help someone else. And despite her fame and notoriety, she was so welcoming and kind. So approachable and just a lovely person. 

And Mrs. King continued the work. She designed the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change, that was dedicated in 1982, located in Atlanta. The King Center continues today as an international sight where history is shared about the past Civil Rights Movement with resources to encourage the next generation of leaders to continue the fight into the future. Mrs. King was also the reason Dr. King has a federal holiday; first observed in 1986. She could have had a musical career, because she had a beautiful voice. She earned a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. However, she chose a life as an amazing wife, mother and leader, and continued to keep the dream alive and inspire others to achieve their dreams. Coretta Scott King was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. I loved Mrs. King. She was beautiful and brilliant. Mrs King became a mentor and a friend and I miss her very much. 

For more information on Coretta Scott King, find books at your local library.