February 2021 President's Message 

Well, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so that means six more weeks of winter. I can stand only so much cold, and add rain/sleet/hail/snow and I am an unhappy camper. Oh well, as we've all said so many times in the last year—this too shall pass! 

I just want to say how much I appreciate you and this organization. The way we share important things with one another, like the recent petitions and voting, reminds me why this group of ladies (and gentlemen) are so special to me. 

We still have to do some fund raising, but under the current situation, I don't see us undertaking a project at this time. But keep your thinking caps on for ideas. We still have tables to sell, and other miscellaneous items, including the ubiquitous book barrels. The metal ones make good burn barrels, and the synthetic one can be used for storage. And if you know anyone who is moving or organizing, there are still over 100 peach boxes. 

Please be sure to come (virtually or in person) to our February meeting starring Robertiena “Tiena” Fletcher. She is a former member (I'd love to have her back!) who has an amazing story to tell. I went to an event at Middle Georgia State last year, and enjoyed seeing and hearing her so much, I asked Wilhemenia to see if we could get her to share her story with us. 

Until then, stay warm, dry, healthy and safe. 

Love y'all, 

Marlene

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By Popular Demand . . .

Of the many memorable events from January 20, the incredible reciting by Amanda Gorman of her poem, The Hill We Climb, is at the top of many lists. 

Amanda Gorman's work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora.  She was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. Amanda published the poetry book The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough in 2015. 

Gorman was born in Los Angeles ini 1998. She was raised by her single mother, Joan Wicks, a 6th grade English teacher in Watts. Gorman has said that she grew up in an environment with limited television access. She has described her young self as a "weird child" who enjoyed reading and writing and was encouraged by her mother. 

Gorman has an auditory processing disorder and is hypersensitive to sound. She also had a speech impediment during childhood, and participated in speech therapy.  She told the Harvard Crimson in 2018 that "I always saw it (speech impediment) as a strength because since I was experiencing these obstacles in terms of my auditory and vocal skills, I became really good at reading and writing." 

Gorman attended New Roads, a private school in Santa Monica for grades K - 12. As a senior, she received a Milken Family  Foundation college scholarship. She studied sociology at Harvard  College, grading cum laude in 2020, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

To read the poem, A Hill to Climb, click here: https://mcusercontent.com/7f018ee9a210b1e092ece3b52/files/9d4b1ef0-f765-4c29-84db-1267dd44c87a/The_Hill_We_Cliimb.pdf

To hear Amanda Gorman reciting The Hill We Climb, click here: https://youtu.be/LZ055ilIiN4
             
AND she made the cover of TIME magazine this week . . ..