This special women’s section will recognize women making a difference. As a reader nominated section, it has garnered women from all walks of life.)
A Taste of Women’s History
Women of Prominence Recognition
By: Gwen DeRu
We all know what ‘a taste’ is…just ‘a little bit’ of something! There is A Taste of New York, A Taste of Birmingham, A Taste of Fourth Avenue and I have even had A Taste of Alabama in my own backyard. There is just so much you can share in the time or space that you have but you want to let it be known that there ‘is more’ should one be interested, so we sometimes say ‘a taste.’
The women mentioned here are ‘a taste’ of the many great women in the world…in someone’s eyes. Women have been on fire (or have set fire) forever …always. We are in almost every story ever written. Without us, there would be no ‘you.’
President Barack Obama made a statement recently when he spoke at Valencia College where 56 percent of the students are women, explaining the challenges that face women in our economy. “Women make up about half of our workforce…In fact, for more than two decades, women have earned over half of the higher education degrees awarded in this country. So that means soon, for the first time, America’s highly educated workforce will be made up of more women than men.
But the thing is, our economy hasn’t caught up to that reality yet. So we’ve got too many women who work hard to support themselves and their families, including the 20 percent of women enrolled in college who are trying to raise kids while earning a degree, and they’re facing unfair choices or outdated workplace policies that are holding them back. That has to change — because it holds all of us back.”
During the address, he stressed the importance of “a women’s economic agenda that grows our economy for everybody,” highlighting the importance of ensuring that America’s women get equal pay for equal work. Women still earn 77 cents for every dollar that a man earns. “And that’s wrong,” President Obama said, “This isn’t 1958, its 2014.” (Taken from The White House email)
I AGREE!!
(Photo: Betty Marshall)
WOMEN ON FIRE
When Black women are appointed to leadership positions they’re not always welcomed with open arms. “…not only was it difficult to obtain information,” Sam’s Club Regional Vice President, Betty Marshall, tells of one of her first management experiences, “it was tough holding a conversation.” An outsider, executives and managers would pass by her office with little to no acknowledgment. Having accomplished several firsts Betty Marshall became the first Black woman appointed to a management position at Arby’s, the first in management at Shoney’s then promoted to vice president and today, she is Regional Vice President of Sam’s Club. She could not have said it better when she said she learned firsthand the true meaning of not judging a book by its cover, because she was being judged every day. She also said that if you don’t know who you are, you will answer to anything. (Taken from Little Pick Book)
Women in the world such as Wangari Maathai of Kenya was called the Green Warrior, the first woman from Africa to win the Nobel Peace Prize as founder of the Green Belt Movement whose goal was to employ women while saving the environment. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was the first democratically elected female to lead an African country in modern history as President of Liberia (of course there was Cleopatra and Queen Sheba among others). She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work against war and oppression sharing it with Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakkol Karmen of Yemen.
Notable quotes from women that can be remembered and shared are: Be clear on what’s important to you, make sure there is no conflict with your values by Geri Thomas, Bank of America, President of Georgia Operations and Diversity and Inclusion Executive. Quinnie Jenkins-Rice, Southwest Airlines Regional Leader of Community Affairs and Grassroots said ‘I am not sure if the surprise is that I am Black, young – or a woman. And, to whom much is given much is required.’ Anita Phillips, Senior Director of Strategic Consumer Insights, RJ Reynolds said ‘when opportunities arise, you must be ready to seize them, not unprepared or terrified to try. It is the discontent, unreasonable person who creates change and that homework doesn’t stop once you have graduated from school.’ (These quotes were taken from Little Pink Book)
American women have been achievers throughout history that you may have heard of at some point in time in the country or in Birmingham – Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Ida Wells, Mary McLeod Bethune, Shirley Chisholm, Phyllis Wheatley, Rosa Parks, Amelia Robinson Boynton, Dorothy Height, Elizabeth Dole (first women to be elected to presidential cabinets under two presidents), Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State University graduate, TV network owner, was at one time the world’s only Black billionaire and considered the most influential woman in the world), Patricia Harris, (first African American to serve in a cabinet as Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Secretary of Health and Human Services and as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development), Secretary Alexis Herman, Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, Terri Sewell (First Black Female U.S. Congresswoman from Alabama) Senator Linda Coleman, Judge Carnetta Greene Norman, Judge Carole Smitherman, Judge Nyya Parson Hudson, Judge Elisabeth French, Commissioner Sandra Little-Brown, Judge Tracie Todd, Judge Tiffany Johnson, Judge Annetta Verin, Judge Helen Shores Lee and so many others.
From Tina Turner, Queen of Rock and Roll, one of the world’s most popular entertainers and the most successful female rock artist ever to Michelle J. Howard the first African American to command a ship of the United States Navy and the first woman graduate of the United States Naval Academy selected for Admiral in 2006; whether they were first in their field, known by many or whether they are just someone you know, women need to be honored.
Here are ‘some’ names of women on fire, both living and deceased, that have been sent for recognition during this Women’s History Month: Carstella Scott, Wenonah Ward, Helen M. Lewis, Regina Carr-Hope, Coretta Scott-King, Cheryl Kidd, Tamara Harris Johnson, Audrey Perrine, Gloria Berry, Cheryl Eldridge, Jo Hooks, Cynthia Marzette, Esther Callens, Rashida LeRoy, Carolyn Marzette Bolivar, Inez M. Bryant, Gaye Blythe, Dorian Kendrick, Delois W. Howard, Pamela Hinton, Edna Washington, Naomi Truman, Ann August, Tamica Washington, Felycia Bester, Carol Poe, J.J. Johnson, Gerrie Robinson, Ive Billingsley, Cynthia Billingsley, Deborah Clark, Rose Walker, Gloria Dennard, Yvonne Lowe-Kennedy, Mariea Wooding-Lewis, Sharon Long, Mary Dobbs, Joyce Brooks, Bettina Bryd-Giles, Gaynelle Hendricks, Jean Petties, Jo Ann Shaid, Edna Henry, Suzette Hunter, Dawn McGlothan, Jestina Howard, Lois Germany, Yvonne Turner, Sheila Tyson, LaShunda Scales, Sherrell Stewart, Rose Walker, Patricia Henderson, Johnnye Lassiter, Iris Gross, Alice Gordon, Eddie Abdulhaqq, Felycia Jerald, Abra Barnes, Baccara Mauldin, Barbara Royal, Terri Sharpley, Alicia Johnson Williams, Freida Pierce, Sharon Bell, Krista Colin, Sherry Lewis, Caprenia Anthony, Daagye Kendricks, Rosilyn Houston, Jonice Vanderpool, Penny Kakoliris, Adrienne Mitchell, Lajuana Bradford, Cori Ray, Shawn Randolph, Bobbie Knight, Anne Florie, LaTanya Millhouse, Myrna Jackson, Deborah Ford, Carolyn Johnson, Catrena Carter, Noelle Petties, Maxine Parker, Sheila Smoot, Valerie Abbott, Merriam Witherspoon, Majella Hamilton, Natalie Kelly, Dee Kelly, Andrea Faush, Yvas Witherspoon, Sadie Swyne, Tawanda Heard, Deidra Perry, Minnie Finley, Edna Gardner, Cathy Friedman, Satina Richardson, Kim Rafferty, Jean Harris, Kaiya Harris, Kathy Times, Sharon Bell, Le Na Powe, Cassie Ferguson, Delois W. Howard, Inez M. Bryant, Pamela Hinton, Jessica Coates, Byrna Reid, Phyllis Connell, April Odom, Keisha Sharpe, Patricia Todd, Mary Moore, Lina May, JaQuisha Hudson, Linda Mays, Rhonda Robinson, Sarah Verser, Vickie Porter, Vivian Leo, Tamia Bryant, Janice Peck, Jo Ann Griffin, Rene Rotan-Kemp, Satina Richardson, Kara Kennedy, Brittany Faush, Faye Oden, Angela Lewis, Alma Dennis, Juandalynn Givan, Merika Coleman, Jamesha Lewis, Candace Kendrick, Andrella Kenner, Anita Otey, Carolyn Walker, Carol Ealon, Brenda Brantley, Chanda Temple, Audrey Horn, Emma Gean Marshall, Mary Jackson Williams, Inez Jackson Williams, Estella Jackson White, Glenda White, Hope White, Adrienne Mitchell, Franika Webb, Vivian Leo, Antanesha, Jane Smith, Katie Williams, Emma Jackson, Kathy Marshall, Kim Marshall, Carstella Scott, Vickie Howell, Patricia English, Patricia Moore, Terita Moore, Hope English, Gwendolyn English, Patricia Weaver Byrd, Geraldine Long, Maxine Scott, Veronica Scott, Willamena Richardson, Henrietta Gray, Jasmine Allen, Lynda Allen, Peggie F. Myles, Maralyn Mosley, Terri Sharpley, Tanita Cain, Mary Williams, Terri Gardner, Tisanne Williams, Patricia Williams, Sharon Long, Shirley Floyd, Sherri Jackson, Sheila Tyson, Larcine McDonald, Alyce Rochelle Williams, Dorene Williams, Shaun Williams, Theresa Dixon, Linda Lutfi, Angela Martin, Angela Hall, Anne Marie Adams, Helen Shute Pettway, Suzane Matias, Barbara Williams, Augustine Kuntz, Anne Hooks, Rhonda Ball, Jeanneta Bickerstaff Miller, Mary Franklin Hilliard, June Morris, Janine Hilliard, Alesia Hilliard Smith, Karin Hopkins, Joanetta Jarman, April Williams, Bettie Griggs, Betty Robinson, Chandra Bell, Carol Clarke, Derlesia Sims, Dorothea Batiste, Donna Todd, Stephonia McLinn, Faye Oates, Flo Blackledge, Gloria Yelder, Gladys Motley Norman, Angela Maniece, Vivian Mora, Isis Appling, Iva Brown, LaTisa Gaston, Katrina Williams, Deidra Perry, Jamika Kirk, Joanice Thompson, Julie Cunningham, Jacquese Gary, Jackie Gray, Kwani Carson, Katherine Scott Parham, Loretta Scott, Linda Malone, Lis McNair, L’Tryce Slade, Linda White, Magnolia Cook, Sally Harris, Rowena Harris, Malena Cunningham, Marie Sutton, Linda Verin, Maxine Yerby, Marsha Johnson, Martha Emmett, Myla Choy, Malia Fort, Nicole Anthony, Pat Alexander, Gwen Braxton, Pam Bankston, Toni Shite, Quinna Shute, Robin DeMonia, Minnie Finley, Rose Nguyen, Saharra ??, Shelley McDonald, Sunny Slaughter, Tawanda Heard, Tania Adams, Dianne Halsey, Tahiera Brown, Phyllis Nall, Kelli Clarke Solomon, Wardine Alexander, Ocie Lacey, T.J. McCants, Bonnie Cooper Howard, Ella Harris, Gayle Thompson, Jennifer Anthony, Brenda Brantley, Joi Coke, Juanita Murphy, Kim Purifoy, Aaisha Muhammad and so many, many more.
As you become clear about who you really are you will be better able to decide what is best for you.
If there was a ‘wall’ for women these are just ‘a taste’ of the names that would be there. (We should work on that wall for women.)
You learn…by living. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” You must do the thing you cannot do.
– Eleanor Roosevelt, Activist
(If you are interested in the 2015 Women Issue, contact Gwen DeRu (205) 251-1666, gwenderu@yahoo.com)
