Since Mother's Day is right around the corner, I want to celebrate the women who've made me who I am today...
First of all, I have to thank my dear mother for actually bringing me into the world. She was a 19-year-old college student who conceived me before single motherhood was cool. While I was born before Roe vs. Wade would make aborting babies a legal practice, there were plenty of back alley types who would've been all too glad to help a young girl who was in trouble. We've not seen eye-to-eye on everything, but I'm so lucky to have such a great cheerleader in my corner.
My grandmother, may she rest in peace, was my first friend and my best magic. She took care of me while my mom completed her teaching degree. Even though she's gone on to Glory, the lessons she's taught me will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Ms. Spencer was my eighth grade English teacher, and she was the first person outside my family to compliment my writing. She saw something in me that I never could've seen in myself, and she worked hard to nurture it. This woman introduced me to one of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou.
Ms. Northcutt, my Home Economics teacher, saw the leader in me. I was the president of the Future Homemakers of America, and she gave me all the tools I needed to do the job. In addition, she took me to the Ebony Fashion Fair, my first exposure to a world outside of my home.
I consider Jessie to be the woman who introduced me to the finer things in life. More specifically, she made me believe that I could have them in my life. Before I met Jessie, my idea of fine dining was Luby's Cafeteria.
LaJuana is my radio mom. She was the first person to put me on the air, and she paved the way for the career I love today. She's also responsible for introducing me to a couple of my other radio moms -- LaDor and Willie Mae. LaDor made it possible for me to intern at one of the best places in radio, and Willie Mae's faith in my executive producing abilities have kept me working for 10 years.
Denise Edwards and Pam Gibson are my other radio moms. They both taught me so much about how the industry works, and encouraged me as I came up through the ranks at the network. They also unselfishly shared their expertise with me.
Ms. Leroy came into my life as my cleaning lady when I lived in New York, but she became so much more to me. This woman not only kept my house, but she'd cook for me and my friends when she had time, and she cared for me when I was sick. In addition, when I went back to visit last year, she cooked dinner for my friends and me.
Tee is my California mom. She works at my bank, but she's taken me under her wing, too. With gas being a million dollars and my money being funny, I don't see her as often as I'd like to, but we talk on the phone. It's nice to have someone older to call on.
These women have helped me, loved me, yelled at me, laughed both at and with me, and generally made my life better because they took an interest in me. Happy Mother's Day from a very grateful daughter.
First of all, I have to thank my dear mother for actually bringing me into the world. She was a 19-year-old college student who conceived me before single motherhood was cool. While I was born before Roe vs. Wade would make aborting babies a legal practice, there were plenty of back alley types who would've been all too glad to help a young girl who was in trouble. We've not seen eye-to-eye on everything, but I'm so lucky to have such a great cheerleader in my corner.
My grandmother, may she rest in peace, was my first friend and my best magic. She took care of me while my mom completed her teaching degree. Even though she's gone on to Glory, the lessons she's taught me will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Ms. Spencer was my eighth grade English teacher, and she was the first person outside my family to compliment my writing. She saw something in me that I never could've seen in myself, and she worked hard to nurture it. This woman introduced me to one of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou.
Ms. Northcutt, my Home Economics teacher, saw the leader in me. I was the president of the Future Homemakers of America, and she gave me all the tools I needed to do the job. In addition, she took me to the Ebony Fashion Fair, my first exposure to a world outside of my home.
I consider Jessie to be the woman who introduced me to the finer things in life. More specifically, she made me believe that I could have them in my life. Before I met Jessie, my idea of fine dining was Luby's Cafeteria.
LaJuana is my radio mom. She was the first person to put me on the air, and she paved the way for the career I love today. She's also responsible for introducing me to a couple of my other radio moms -- LaDor and Willie Mae. LaDor made it possible for me to intern at one of the best places in radio, and Willie Mae's faith in my executive producing abilities have kept me working for 10 years.
Denise Edwards and Pam Gibson are my other radio moms. They both taught me so much about how the industry works, and encouraged me as I came up through the ranks at the network. They also unselfishly shared their expertise with me.
Ms. Leroy came into my life as my cleaning lady when I lived in New York, but she became so much more to me. This woman not only kept my house, but she'd cook for me and my friends when she had time, and she cared for me when I was sick. In addition, when I went back to visit last year, she cooked dinner for my friends and me.
Tee is my California mom. She works at my bank, but she's taken me under her wing, too. With gas being a million dollars and my money being funny, I don't see her as often as I'd like to, but we talk on the phone. It's nice to have someone older to call on.
These women have helped me, loved me, yelled at me, laughed both at and with me, and generally made my life better because they took an interest in me. Happy Mother's Day from a very grateful daughter.
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