Women's History Month: Dr. Maya Angelou

Hey Y'all:

As my final post for Women's History Month I would like to celebrate Dr. Maya Angelou.

I recently re-read "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" and fell in love with Dr. Angelou all over again.

Once I read something by an author I go on a quest to find something recent that she/he has written. While scanning the shelves of my local library a few months ago I stumbled upon "Letter To My Daughter" by Maya Angelou.

This book is dedicated to the daughter that Dr. Angelou never had “I gave birth to one child, a son, but I have thousands of daughters. You are Black and White, Jewish and Muslim, Asian, Spanish speaking, Native Americans and Aleut. You are fat and thin and pretty and plain, gay and straight, educated and unlettered, and I am speaking to you all. Here is my offering to you.”–from Letter to My Daughter

As one of her daughters I found this collection of stories to be thought provoking, eye opening and life altering. The lessons she shares from her own life made me smile and a few times shed a tear. I was so moved by this collection that I passed it on to my friend before it was due back to the library.

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4th 1928. Raised between St. Louis, MO and Stamps, AK where she experienced racial discrimination, but was also absorbed in a close knit African American community, with unshakable faith and values. As a teenager Dr. Angelou won a scholarship to study dance and drama at San Francisco's Labor School. At 14 she dropped out of school and became the first African American cable car conductor in San Francisco history. Dr. Angelou was a trailblazer even from youth. Although she mothered a child young, she still lived a full life. She toured Europe, studied modern dance with Martha Graham and danced with Alvin Ailey. She recorded an album, was a member of the Harlem writers guild, has lived in Cairo, Egypt; speaks French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and the West African language Fanti.

Dr. Angelou has written more than 30 bestselling titles, appeared in numerous films and made for TV movies. She has written screen plays and acted Off-Broadway. Dr. Angelou has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and has received over 30 Honorary Degrees.

She has served on two presidential committees and was requested to read a poem at the 1993 inauguration of President Clinton. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000, The Lincoln Medal in 2008 and has received 3 Grammy awards. Dr. Angelou is truly a

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That's me.

I walk into a room just as cool as you please, and to a man, the fellows stand or fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say,It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth,The swing in my waist,And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,That's me.

Men themselves have wondered what they see in me.They try so much but they can't touch my inner mystery.When I try to show them they say they still can't see.

I say, It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That's me.

Now you understand just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing it ought to make you proud.

I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair,the palm of my hand, The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That's me.

Maya Angelou

Until next time...

MUAH!

Womens History Month: A Little Romance

Hey Y'all:

Women's History Month is quickly coming to an end. I hope that you have celebrated the women in your life who have been influential in who you are today.

As my next to the last post in honor of women I'd like to celebrate a romance author!
Honey Women DOMINATE this genre of literature... check out this awesome list of novels, it includes some classics and plenty of contemporary titles are list. I think this is a great list but it doesn't cover the novels that I have read and really come to enjoy.

I haven't always read romance novels but when I discovered Sandra Brown I was converted. I had no idea that this awesome author wrote romance novels way back in the day. Her novels are all really sweet but my all time favorite romance author is Brenda Jackson!

Mrs Jackson has written novels with seven publishing houses with a total of over 80 books! The first novel I read by her was from The Bennett Family Series - A Family Reunion. This book intrigued me because of the family name; Bennett is my maiden name! This novel was so good I went on a search for all books written by Mrs. Jackson! The one thing I love about these novels is how Mrs. Jackson connects all of the stories through series. She has about four major families that she writes stories around and I love just about all of them.

If you are in the market for a quick spicy read pick up a Brenda Jackson novel!
Here are my top 5:

1. A Family Reunion



2. Whispered Promises



3. Thorn's Challenge



4. Stone Cold Surrender



5. Solid Soul

Hope you pick up one of Mrs. Jackson's books soon.

Until next time...

MUAH!

Womens History: African American Christian Authors

Hey Y'all:

In continuation of my tribute to women authors today I would like to celebrate African American Christian Authors.

For the past five years or so I've been involved with multiple book clubs. The latest was one that I started with the help of my Sister. Although Queens With Purpose is a great idea it didn't quite get off the ground, I haven't lost hope though... never know what the end of the year might bring. I am confident that QWP will be the go to club for African American Christian women who love God and love to read.

As a tribute to the authors who make these book clubs worth joining here is my top 3 list of my authors and my favorite book from them.

Jacquelin Thomas: I love everything she has written but I think my favoriate by far is the last one I read - Ideal Wife. I enjoy reading Mrs. Thomas' titles because she gets her inspiration from women in the bible, I love her modern take on biblical issues. Ideal Wife was about Queen Vashti and her fall from grace. The example that Jacquelin Thomas used in this novel was really creative and thought provoking! It made me reconsider my thoughts on whether the Queen was out of order by not parading her goods around all the Kings men or if the King was dead wrong for making the request. Mrs Thomas also have a very nice line of teen titles and some romance novels that aren't biblical based but wholesome all the same.

Kendra Norman-Bellamy: Kendra to me just seems like a really sweet person. I dig sweet so I enjoy reading her novels knowing that the subject matter is going to be christian but contemporary. The last book I read by Mrs Bellamy was Battle of Jericho this title was about a Marine Veteran who finds himself in battle, captivity and in dispare of his marriage. This was a timely novel and really interesting. I loved how Mrs. Bellamy wrote parts of the novel from a childs point of view.

Victoria Christopher Murray: Love love love her!!!!! I wish I could pick a favoriate but I can't, all of her novels are just that good! I do know that Singsation is one of my top fives for Mrs Murray. Singsation was the novel I read when I joined my first book club. It's a Mama I Want to Sing/Prodical Son type of story but it was a good read. I might have to reread it to get a refresh! She also has a whole line of books with the same characters that just entertain me all the way through. Any of the novels with Jasmine Larson is worth reading! I think every Christian married woman should read her novels they really make you think about your marriage and where you should be as a woman. Her books involve LOTS of Drama, backstabing and most importantly forgiveness!

I hope you are having a lovely Women's History Month.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Women's History: Cheryl Willis Hudson

Hey Y'all:

I was reading a post on HelloBeautiful's Mommy Beautiful with tips on helping your children with reading and was inspired by one of the comments that mentioned Afro-Bets. I've NEVER heard of such a book, so I went on a little journey around the web to find out more information. There is a whole line of afro centric books with illustrations of children who look just like my babies! I was so impressed that I decieded to celebrate the woman author of these wonderful titles. Mrs Cheryl Willis Hudson.

A little about Mrs Hudson & Just Us Books from their website

Author, publisher and entrepreneur, Cheryl Willis Hudson has more than 30 years of experience in the children's book industry. A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, and a graduate of Oberlin College in Ohio, Cheryl began her career doing text book design for publishers such as Houghton Mifflin and Macmillan.

Noticing a lack of quality Black-interest books for her own two children, in 1988, Cheryl and her husband Wade formed Just Us Books, Inc., a publishing company that specializes in children’s books that focus on Black experiences. Cheryl’s AFRO-BETS ABC Book, was Just Us Books’ first published title.

An active member of her community and publishing industry organizations, Cheryl serves on the advisory boards of the Small Press Center and the Langston Hughes Library at the Alex Haley Farm, operated by the Children’s Defense Fund. She is a recipient of the Stephen Crane Award and is a 2003 inductee of the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent. A member of the Author's Guild, PEN America and the Society of Book Writers and Illustrators, Cheryl also serves as a parenting expert for ClubMom.

Cheryl Willis Hudson has written over 20 children’s books, including the picture book classic Bright Eyes, Brown Skin; Many Colors of Mother Goose; and Come By Here, Lord: Everyday Prayers for Children, selected as children’s book of the year for 2003 by BlackBoard, Inc. (Just Us Books, Inc.); Hold Christmas In Your Heart, What Do You Know, Snow!; and the What a Baby! board book series (Scholastic, Inc.); Hands Can and Construction Zone, both published by Candlewick Press.

As a workshop facilitator and speaker she shares her experience about family literacy and diversity and her expertise in developing curricula of inclusion with schools, educational institutions and other organizations around the country. Cheryl lives in Northern New Jersey with her family.

Just Us Books, Inc. is the nation's premier publisher of Black-interest books for young people. The company's titles range from Pre-K concept books to young adult novels--all reflecting the diversity of Black history, culture and experiences. Founded by husband and wife team Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson in 1988, this innovative company is now considered one of the leading independent publishers of books for young people.

I found a few books on Amazon that I can't wait to pick up and add to my childrens library.

Who's your favoriate female author?

Until next time...

MUAH!

Happy Women's History Month 2010

Hey Y'all:

I opened an email from the New York Public library and was reminded that March is Women's History Month!

Did you Know?
The public celebration of women's history in America began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. The week including March 8, International Women's Day, was selected. In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and March was declared Women's History Month.

In celebration of Women's History Month I would like to celebrate women Authors. I have always loved the written word and would like to acknowledge the women who have encouraged me with their pens to share their words with the world.

The first woman author that engrossed me in her world by choice was Judy Blume. I say by choice because I know that I've read many books by women authors growing up but I distinctly remember reading "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." it was a life changing book (especially the part where Margaret does the "I must, I must I must increase my bust" chant/exercise) I remember reading the entire series and passing it along to my friends and family.

Here is her official bio from her website

Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Blubber; Just as Long as We're Together; and the five book series about the irrepressible Fudge. She has also written three novels for adults, Summer Sisters; Smart Women; and Wifey, all of them New York Times bestsellers. More than 80 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into thirty-one languages.
She receives thousands of letters a year from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her.

Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year the American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Other recognitions include the Library of Congress Living Legends Award, the 2004 National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and in 2009 the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for her lifelong contributions to the field of children's literature. She is the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation. She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; the Key West Literary Seminar; and the National Coalition Against Censorship.

Judy is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980's she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers. Most recently Judy has completed a four book series -- The Pain & the Great One books -- for young readers, illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist James Stevenson, and she has begun work on a new YA novel. Judy and her husband George Cooper live on islands up and down the east coast. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

The National Women's History Project has a an overarching theme this year "Writing Women Back into History" - The history of women often seems to be written with invisible ink. Even when recognized in their own times, women are often not included in the history books.

So I figured what better way to celebrate then acknowledging women who have 'written' themselves into history.

Stop by often and see who I honor.

Until next time...
MUAH!