Women's History Month Feature: Shirley Anita Chisholm

If you thought that Hillary Rodham Clinton was the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, you would be wrong. That honor actually goes to a Black woman:  Shirley Chisholm. Born as Shirley Anita St. Hill to immigrant parents on November 30, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, she always embraced her heritage and considered herself to be a Barbadian American. Shirley was a leader at an early age and excelled in her academics. After receiving a scholarship to Brooklyn College, she would eventually earn a master's degree in education from Columbia University. Shirley was considered an expert on early childhood education and worked as a consultant to New York City's Bureau of Child Welfare from 1959-1964. Shirley stepped into politics in 1968, becoming the first Black woman to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1972, she declared her candidacy for the office of President of the United States; the first Black and the first woman to make that bid! Even after her retirement from Congress in 1983, Shirley used her gifts as an educator and an advocate. She taught at Mount Holyoke College and continued to speak out against the Vietnam War. Throughout her life, she helped with causes to improve living conditions for the poor and disadvantaged. Shirley Chisholm passed way on January 1, 2005. You can learn more about Shirley Chisholm by reading her autobiography: "Unbought and Unbossed" and by watching the film SHIRLEY, premiering on Netflix on March 22, 2024.

An Amazing Woman in Herstory : Marva Collins

I'm a firm believer that Black History IS American History so we should celebrate it alongside the stories of our founding fathers and mothers. And as misguided politicians and perceived pundits try to erase Black History, it's becoming even more important for all Americans to listen and learn about the many ways African Americans have contributed to this nation.  

One amazing American we all should know is Marva Knight Collins. Born on August 31, 1936 in Monroeville, Alabama, Collins' early life was attending school in a strict, one-room schoolhouse. This learning experience would have a profound effect on her later in life.

After graduating from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, Collins returned to teach in Alabama. Eventually she moved to Chicago, and over the next 14 years, she taught in the inner-city Chicago Public Schools as a full-time substitute teacher. 

Collins would marry Clarence Collins and together they would have 3 children. Although she had a happy homelife, Collins became very frustrated with the teaching techniques she witnessed in the public-school system. Using money from her personal funds, Collins started a private school in Chicago called the Westside Preparatory School. The low-cost private school was specifically designed to help teach low-income Black children who Collins felt had been mislabeled as being learning disabled. 

The Westside Preparatory School became an educational and commercial success. Collins received recognitions and awards from the school house to the White House, where Collins was the National Medal of Humanities recipient presented by President George W. Bush. In 1981 a movie based on her life, entitled The Marva Collins Story aired on TV. Before her death in 2015, Collins also became an Honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  

This is just one Black History story. Take time to learn more about Black Americans who have impacted our country and our world.

Happy New You!

Sometimes when I strike up a conversation with a lady while we're waiting in the grocery store checkout line,  I'll ask her, "So what do you do?" Most of the time she'll respond by saying, "Oh, I'm just a Mom." What are you talking about? No one is "Just a Mom"!  Moms are Influencers.  Think how your Mom influenced your life. Moms are Educators. What are you teaching your children? And Moms are Advocates. No one speaks up and supports their children like a Mom. So if you are one of those ladies who has labeled herself as, "Just a Mom", Stop it! Please change your words. Beginning in 2024 see yourself for who you really are. You have the most powerful job in the world! Know your value. You are raising the next generation of leaders. You have Power, You have Pride, You Are Awesome!

Music Matters

During this special season, many people are playing the music of the holiday. However, as far back as I can remember, music has always been a very important part of my life. My parents played music in our home all the time. They would also take me to concerts and musicals. I was a member of the choir in my school and at my church. In elementary school I learned to play the flute. Even today, I enjoy different types of music. And music can affect my mood. During this Christmas season when I hear Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song" on the radio, it brings back fond memories from my childhood.  And I'll admit, I have followed that same pattern with my children. I began playing music to them while they were in the womb. I have exposed them to all types of music; from Mozart to MJ. And I'm not doing it because of tradition, but because of the benefits music can bring. A study from St. John's University and Iona College says that music aids in memory development and retrieval as early as three months of age. So if you start playing music to your infant today, it could have a positive effect on their motor skills and creative thinking in the future! There is some type of music for everyone to enjoy. Find your melody and add music to your child's life year-round.

Fill In The Blank

Have you ever said, "One day, I'm going to...Fill In The Blank? It may be writing a book; getting your college degree; running a marathon. I have. Even at my age I still have hopes and dreams.  And people of any age should have a Fill In The Blank idea. You don't have to be a teenager or in your early 20's to make plans for your future. And no matter your age, time isn't standing still. In fact, most days, it seems time is going by very fast! Even though we all have the same 24 hours in a day, some people use their time wisely, while others seem to waste every minute.

What is your Fill In The Blank? Do you want to learn a new language; travel to an exotic destination, lose ten pounds? Yea, me too!

Start planning! The clock is ticking! It's never too late to complete your Fill In The Blank!

Never Too Late To Dream

"I'm too old...No one in my family...It's too late for me to try..." Fill in the blank. We've heard these messages before. Too often we can find hope in others, but give up on ourselves too quickly. How many times have we let fear stop us from pursing our dreams? Unfortunately women tend to do this more often then men. So we must learn to shut down the negative words we hear from others and especially the negative words we hear in our head. Release the lies and know our truth: Women are Wise, Women are Wonderful and Women are Worthy! Find positive affirmations and post them around the house and in your work cubicle, surround yourself with uplifting people; friends and family who support your vision and take time to pray about the future; planning what you want to achieve in your life. And when no one else will support you, you must encourage yourself. Joshua 1:9 (Living Bible) says, "Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go". It's never too late to dream!

What is Your Legacy?

If your parents are still alive, you are so blessed! Sadly my parents passed away several years ago: Mom in 2005 and Daddy in 2009. I miss them every day; yet, they still live on through me, my siblings, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My parents left special memories for our family.

Ephesians 6:1-2 reads, "Children,obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor your father and your mother..." Although my parents may not be with me physically, I still want to honor their legacy every day by:

1. Living a life that will make them and God proud.

2. Keeping my word as my bond.

3. Giving service to the family, the church and the community.

We have a responsibility to leave an endearing and enduring legacy for the next generation. How will you honor yours?