“And in my own life, in my own small way, I’ve tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That’s why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us, no matter what our age or background or walk of life, has something to contribute to the life of this nation.”
…..Michelle Obama
On Feb. 9 First Lady Michelle Obama, the pride of Chicago’s South Side, rolled out her national initiative to combat childhood obesity. Mrs. Obama’s concern for our nation’s children, and desire to take on the responsibility of leading the effort, should come as no surprise given the First Lady’s history of activism.
Transcending political parties and agendas, the record shows Mrs. Obama’s active commitment to issues that impact millions of lives including national service and volunteerism, work-life balance, assistance to military families, and opening up the White House to the D.C. community.
Through her actions, Mrs. Obama sends a message to us all — Democrats, Republicans and others — that we can make a difference “no matter what our age or background or walk of life.” She also is a reminder of why the celebration of National Women’s History Month in March is so important as it provides a much needed occasion to celebrate the women who have made the greatest impact in each of our lives.
And as indicated by the tributes of community members that appear with this story, we need not look far to find women, or reminders of special women, who are deserving of our reverence year-round. By following the models provided by these extraordinary women, we receive a gift and roadmap for advancing not only the progress of women, but all humanity.
★★★★ ★★★★★★★★
“One of the women I find most inspiring is poet Toi Derricotte. I got to know Toi in my earliest days as a poet, when she was a presenter at the Robert Frost Place where I attended my first poetry retreat in 1988. Toi recited for us the eerie poem ‘There Was a Man of Double Deed’ and then showed us how the poem had taught itself to us, through its rhyme, rhythm and imagery, as we recited it, with very little prompting, back to her. It’s an activity I use to this day to demonstrate the power of poetry. I got to know Toi better when she visited my high school Creative Writing class as a guest poet and shared not only her poetry but also the difficult personal and social material she was writing about in what came to be ‘The Black Notebooks’ (Norton, 1997), a collection of essays about ‘passing’ for White that confront racism as it manifests itself both inwardly and outwardly in our world. The book went on to win major acclaim in the US and Europe and established Toi as a foremost voice in unmasking the dishonesty and psychic brutality that the ideology of race inflicts on us all.
“I was amazed then by her courage and honesty, and I was won by her warmth and sense of humor. Since 1997, Toi has gone on to co-found, with Cornelius Eady, Cave Canem, the pioneering workshop dedicated to providing a home for Black poetry. Cave Canem’s commitment to creating a safe space for cultivating the aesthetic and professional development of African-American poets has brought many brilliant writers into the public eye, with numerous prize-winning publications (including a Pulitzer) and has substantially raised the bar for poetry in this country. Cave Canem is about home and community, and Toi’s embracing influence is everywhere, reflecting her spirituality, humanity and purpose. Today, I am proud that Cave Canem fellows participate with InsideOut, bringing their love of poetry and their many talents to youth in Detroit, and widening the circle of caring that Toi helped to establish.”
….Terry Blackhawk, Founder and Director, InsideOut Literary Arts Project
“Wanda, my wife, has so inspired me. She has shown me that through all of life’s good times and bad times, through our many ups and downs, to place that one person above all our wants and desires, to make sure we put that one person first — and that person she always puts first is Jesus Christ, the son of God.”
…..Dwayne Harvey, Detroit Math Teacher
“The woman I have admired the most in my life would be my mother, Irene McKey. Mom exemplified the virtuous woman — one who has great faith in God, strength, wisdom and courage. Mom cared for her children, family, husband, household and herself while facing illness.”
…..Florine McKey-Hill, Compliance Risk Exam Officer, Comerica Bank
“I thank God for Charlene Miles. She has inspired me the most because her life story screams determination. Charlene began in the cotton fields of Arkansas and retired at the top of her industry. During the period from 1959 to 1993 she became the first African-American woman to own a national business on world class Fifth Avenue, Midtown Manhattan, while also carrying the title as the largest African-American salon chain in America. I remember in my elementary years trying to figure out why my mother kept reading ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. She read this book so much that I was inspired to read it as well. I’m now tagged with this infectious zeal for business. Charlene was often asked what was it that she was most happy about in terms of her professional career. She would reply, ‘Providing jobs for those women who were in a vicious cycle of graduating in an industry where there were few opportunities for these graduates to land a high paying job. Thus, when I saw the thousands employed in my company earn greater salaries than those in America’s mainstream, I was elated.’ Charlene is currently 81 years old and still celebrates and prays for the success of all women. However, I think her ability to balance and prioritize her professional and personal life was masterfully accomplished because my siblings and I always felt and knew we were her priority.”
…..Donell Miles, Comerica Vice President and Banking Center Manager
“Often we look at civil rights leaders, celebrities or other famous people to draw our inspiration. However, most often we have inspiring role models right in our own homes and communities. My mothers have impacted my life as great role models. I actually have been blessed to have two mothers — my biological mom, Pearl Murray, and my aunt, Ida Wright, whom I call my other mom. These two women are phenomenal. Some people say I’m spoiled, however, I say I’m loved and blessed.
“Recently I was released from the hospital and could not do much of anything. My moms came over to my home and cleaned, washed clothes, brought food, spoke encouraging words to me, took care of my son — whatever needed to be done they did it. You may say, ‘Well, that’s family, they are supposed to do that if you are ill.’ Well, let me inform you that all my life my moms have been consistently caring and giving to not only family and friends, but also to the community. If a meal is needed, clothes need washing, money needed, a home cleaned, even just someone to talk to, my moms have been there to help and they never expect anything in return. Their acts of giving and genuine unconditional love inspires me to be a better, well-rounded person. I salute my moms for being the fabulous women God created them to b
e.”
……LaCynthia Murray, Comerica Bank, Corporate Compliance and Public Affairs
“My mother is my inspiration. She’s only about 5-feet, 1-inch tall and never weighed more than 110 pounds, but tough as nails. A teacher by profession, she helped shape so many lives as children filed through her 1st and 2nd grade classes over nearly 35 years. I never had to face her at school, but her reach was even more profound outside of the classroom. She is the spring of my emotional and spiritual strength and a source of my core values. She is why family is so important to me, and why the bond between me and my siblings has remained ever so strong. At the toughest times in my life, my thoughts always revert back to her teachings and sacrifices. She taught me how to pray, and that a good name is more precious than great riches. She taught me how to appreciate the little things in life, and to take time to enjoy every day. And she taught me that knowledge is power, and that hope is eternal.
“I was about 13 years old and already more than six inches taller and at least 20 pounds heavier than her when I took deathly ill from malaria complications. The picture of her carrying me on her back toward help, feet dragging behind her, is eternally etched into my memory as an example of supreme love. When I started my family and needed some financial support, she gave up all of her retirement lump-sum payout to help. Older now, but she is still a calming influence in my life. Managing a household of seven children with at least four live-in relatives at any given time, as well as managing the social responsibility of a very important husband, didn’t seem so difficult in those days. I know better now. She fed and bathed us, and prayed for and with us every day. Her day’s work was never complete because she also managed a small business. Through it all, she never complained. She is my mother, my inspiration, my hero. She is Mrs. Elizabeth Odeleye.”
……Roland Odeleye, Comerica Bank Vice President and Abel Ogundokun Odeleye Foundation Administrator
“I have been inspired by many women, however, my mother, Helen Parker, defines strength and perseverance and she has inspired me to embrace life because she is a ‘Phenomenal Woman,’ to cite Maya Angelou. She takes care of people at home and outside of her home. I would classify my mother as a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week nurturer. It never ceases to amaze me how she always thinks of everyone but herself. She is an amazing gift from God.”
…..Kenequia Parker, Program Administrator, Coleman A. Young Foundation
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