Woman of Interest: Rue McClanahan (1934-2010)

I will let this genius speak for herself...bye for now dear Blanche...I hope you rest well on that Lanai in the sky...

Woman of Interest: Mrs. Cherry Wyley (September 6, 1923-April 3, 2010)

My dear Aunt Cherry passed away this past Saturday. I was fortunate enough to spend the last fours of her life with her. Not only will the moment when I realized she was about to take her last breathe stay with me for the rest of my life, but I will cherish all the moments we had together; especially the Sunday afternoon dinners with Mrs. Green and crew. I've known Aunt Cherry my entire life, but we became really close about ten years ago just before my Uncle Ed (her hubby) passed away in 2000. We were really like two peas and a pod! LOL! Everyday I realize how much I am like her in so many ways: feisty, ambitious, loyal and about our business (among other things)!

Words cannot express what she has meant to me over the years. She's dropped so many pearls of wisdom and surrounded me with so much love and support...it just warms my heart to think about hearing her raspy voice...so Brooklyn...so Black Jewish lady! LOL! Aunt Cherry loved her Matzahs! Although I will miss her, I am happy that she is in a better place with the loves of her life: her Lord and her Ed.

One of my favorite Cherry Wyley sayings is what she told me she used to say to Uncle Ed all the time, "Love me less, understand me more!" YES! I could not have put it better or more plainly. Every time I hear that...I think to myself, "Aunt Cherry gets me and I get her! That's why I love her so and she loves me."

Aunt Cherry...I love you and already miss you terribly but I am so glad that you stopped by this way a little while to show us how this life thing should be done...to the fullest! I think I am going to hit up some conventions and take some cruises in your honor...I may even finally learn how to play Pinochle and the rules of parliamentary procedure! You were good at and knowledgeable of so many things and did not take anybody's junk but you also knew how to really have fun...even when you were not feeling your best. Not only that, I admire the way you shared your love with us (me, son Stevie and others) and sang hymns and praises even until the very end. You were and continue to be a shining example to me...I will never, ever forget you. Truly, we are all going to miss you because the work you've done will continue to speak for you. Rest in Peace...

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10

Woman of Interest: Yes Ms. Stanwyck! (Absolutely!)

Per Mr. Ebert's recommendation, check out this awesome scene between Henry Fonda and the amazing Barbara Stanwyck...hot like pepper and hilarious, to boot! ;-)

Woman of Interest: Ms. Jackson (if your nasty, of course)

I would be lying if I told you Janet Jackson was not a huge influence on me as a young performer. In fact, she was very much the prototype for a triple threat(behind Ms. Debbie Allen of course...more on her later) when I was a teenager. However, as I got older and became more "refined", I began downplaying the impact she had on me. Besides, she was "just" a pop icon and I had begun discovering greats like Sarah, Ella and Billie as a singer and Babs, Chita and Patti LuPone as a triple threat performer. Still, looking back I remember those days in the mirror "trying" to do all of Tina's choreography (especially the one in the video above! LOL!); not so much! Ironically, as a member of Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's Mini-Stars, "Rhythm Nation" was one of my biggest solos; which gave me a chance to perform her dope choreography on a regular basis in front of people other than my Cabbge Patch doll! Although I was merely fifteen years old at the time, this solo is still a career highlight for me.

I could really go on and on about all of my JJ moments: the concerts, the DVDs, the cassettes then CDs...the first time I heard "That's the Way Love Goes" while sitting in the beauty salon getting my hair done for my senior prom! The bottom line is this: Ms. Janet is an icon who is very much her brother's sister...she has more than proven herself worthy of her last name...she can go toe to toe with the best of them because she resides among them in the Pantheon of American Performing Artists...I've seen her in concert...the woman is no joke....and she was Penny for goodness sake!

Unfortunately, as our pop icons get older they are forced to make decisions about their career that can either make or break them. Ms. Jackson has been no exception as she too has struggled to make the adjustment like so many of her predecessors and contemporaries. How do you continue to portray powerful and sexy at 40ish in a business that glorifies 20ishness? Who knows...no matter what...we can't deny the amazing body of work Janet has already given us. Though she continues to make the transition into her full womanly awesomeness, I am sure she has got decades worth of greatness still in her to give. I can't wait to see what she does next besides "Why Did I Get Married Too!" I aint hatin...I'ma be up in that show...#imjustsayin

Woman of Interest: Karen Armstrong

Woman of Interest: Lorez Alexandria

A few years ago I stumbled upon the treasure that is Lorez Alexandria. Her career was relatively short lived compared to her contemporaries in jazz vocals but her impact is yet strong...at least on me. My views on music and jazz and what it means to be a woman in music have not been the same since finding this gem. I am a different woman and a different kind of singer as a result. Enjoy...



For more information, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorez_Alexandria

Woman of Interest: J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Woman of Interest: Susan Boyle

When the world serves you lemons...

For more information on Ms. Boyle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_boyle

Woman of Interest: Bette Davis

Simply the best...

Woman of Interest: Patricia J. Williams

(photo courtesy of of www.drexel.edu)

Inspiration comes to me from the darnedest places...music...books...films...everyday life...presentations by Law professors!

I have know of my Woman of Interest for the week, Patricia J. Williams for years. I knew she was a prominent legal scholar and recipient of the distinguished MacArthur Fellowship. However, it was not until last week that I had the honor of witnessing her genius in person. I went to a panel discussion about the work of Édouard Glissant at my alma mater, NYU. What an amazing evening...I fell in love over and over again with everyone in the room. But Ms. Williams really struck me with her elegant speech, humility and grace. While everyone else on the all-male panel decided to take a more prepared academic approach to their presentation, Ms. Williams just told a story...one which made an impression on everyone in the room. Surely I could go on and on about my geek crush on this amazing woman, but alas I will allow you to find your own way to her greatness!

For more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_J._Williams

Woman of Interest: Paula Kelly

Hey y'all...I know it has been a minute since I've shared a "Woman of Interest" with you. So without further adieu, it is my esteemed pleasure to introduce the incomparable: Paula Kelly.

She is a singer, dancer and actress...a black beauty...and another woman I want to be when I grow up. I could go on and on about this immense talent...but I can show you better than I can tell you. Check her out in action with another fierce lady: Chita Rivera (love her!) in "Sweet Charity":



For more information on Paula Kelly, click here.

Woman of Interest: Marian Wright Edelman

Hi kids...sorry it's been a minute. I have been running in and out of town! My last trip to Little Rock is actually the inspiration for this post. I spent 4 days with some really great youth and I haven't been able to stop thinking about them since. So in honor of my new found love for young people (LOL! Just kidding...I always love the kids!)...my Woman of Interest for this week is none other than Mrs. Marian Wright Edelman, founder and CEO of The Children's Defense Fund.

Working with, fellowshipping amongst, and advocating on behalf of some beautiful young people between the ages of 12-18 this past week has been such a blessing to me. I must admit that many of them seemed to be a little rough around the edges when I first encountered them....I wasn't sure how the weekend was going to go. However, once we were able to create a safe, creative, and open environment for them and gave them the opportunity to express themselves freely, their world completely opened up. Suddenly, these broken and guarded teens were smiling and happy young men and women ready to get to work! They lit up the faces of all of the adult volunteers by the end of the week and inspired us all to do bigger and greater things on their behalf.

No one exemplifies this call to service or advocates on behalf of children more or greater than Mrs. Edelman. I've read about her quite a bit over the years but I really got to know her work through the influence of one of my bffs who works for CDF in Texas. In addition to starting the CDF which she founded as a voice for poor, minority and disabled children in 1973, Mrs. Edelman was an accomplished civil rights lawyer who was the first African American admitted to the Mississippi Bar. In essence, she has been an activist for the marginalized and forgotten in every aspect of her career and life. Mrs. Edelman is the real deal y'all...she's another woman I want to be when I grow up! ;-)

For more information, click here.

"Service is the rent each of us pays for living. The only thing that lasts is what is shared with others." - MWE

Woman of Interest: Dr. Regina Benjamin

It brings me great pleasure to introduce you to my "Woman of Interest" for today and this week: Dr. Regina Benjamin.

This morning President Barack Obama announced Dr. Benjamin as his nominee for Surgeon General of the United States (CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta declined the nomination a few months ago). Dr. Benjamin is not only an accomplished and highly regarded physician and administrator, but a strong advocate for human rights. She runs a nonprofit medical clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama (which she founded) and became the first African-American woman on the American Medical Association's board of trustees when she was elected to the post in 1995.

Dr. Benjamin is truly the real deal!

For more information on Dr. Regina Benjamin, please click here.

Woman of Interest: Phyllis Hyman (In Remembrance)

Phyllis Hyman
July 6, 1949 — June 30, 1995

Her beauty was beyond belief...her voice was so rich and her personality larger than life...to know her music was to love her.

I became a fan of Ms. Hyman as a sophomore in high school when my drama teacher showed me a clip of her singing "It Don't Mean a Thing" in the Broadway musical, Sophisticated Ladies (plus I found out that she was originally from my hometown, Pittsburgh!). Ever since that day her beautifully rich alto tone has haunted me. Along with greats like Sarah Vaughan and Anita Baker, her artistry is something that I have aspired to because all four of us possessed one similar gift: a strong lower register (as well as some nifty highs). Now if only I can get mine to sound half as glorious as Phyllis'... Unfortunately, all that talent did not help her bouts with depression and extreme sadness. I wish she knew how much she was and still is loved.

Make it your business to learn more about this American treasure and her music. For more information, click here. As a gift to her memory, purchase some of her music today. :-)

Woman of Interest: What About Tamar?

So...I woke up this morning with a theological chip on my shoulder. I asked myself, "What about Tamar?" Who is Tamar you ask? She is a biblical character, daughter of the infamous King David. There are actually a few Tamars in the Bible but Wikipedia eloquently makes the distinction "for the rape victim, see..." And that's just it...Tamar's claim to fame in the Good Book is "Tamar: daughter of David and rape victim." I guess it is important for me to include that she was raped by David's son...yes her brother!
I am often amazed by how provocative the Bible can be. Sometimes the stories and parables read more like an episode of the "Young & the Restless" circa 1989 than a sacred text. But that's what makes it the most important manuscript of them all: its cultural relevancy. I mean who needs a Harlequin book when you've got the Old Testament? That being said, I don't often hear holistic commentary on issues involving women in the Bible. Through much teaching you may be lead to believe that women are just ancillary pieces to the puzzle (with the exception of Eve!). However, when you read the text for yourself you may find that a woman completely drives a particular story. Case in point: I've been in discussions about the Tamar rape where people focus mostly on the strained relationship between her brother's Absalom and Annon. I agree that this relationship is an integral part of the story but by the end of the conversation I always find myself blurting out, "But what about Tamar?"
This theological quandary still rings true in my heart when dealing with issues in modern society. I mean do we ever stop to think, "I wonder how Anita Hill is doing since the Clarence Thomas thing? Has Monica Lewinsky been able to live a normal life since Bill? Will OJ Simpson's daughter with Nicole ever be able to maintain healthy relationships with men?" How many times have you heard a story about a family tragedy or the fall of a dynasty with little to no mention of the womenfolk involved?
I wrote this piece today because I want to now confess publicly one of my newly discovered missions in life: to empower the Tamars of the world to change their lives and those of other women and children around them through education and the arts. It is surely a daunting mission but one that I am finally ready to accept.
But more on this later...
For more information about Tamar, you can reference 2 Samuel 13.

Woman of Interest: Zahra Rahnavard

(pic source: news.yahoo.com)
I try to keep up with the news both local and abroad because I think it is important. Especially in the sporadic and volatile times we live in right now. I've really been trying to keep up with the information coming in about the situation in Iran with the election and subsequent protests. However, I don't feel like I know enough about all parties involved to take a strong "cyberstance" like many of my other peeps. I don't know that much about Mousavi so I can't say whether he is a worthy alternative to your boy A or not. However, I have been reading up on Mousavi's wife and she seems pretty awesome.

Dr. Zahra Rahnavard is a PhD toting artist, educator, leader, and women's rights activist. She was very active in her husband's presidential campaign (ala Michelle Obama) which is pretty unprecedented in that region of the world. Mousavi and Rahnavard have also been known to show their affection for each other in public by holding hands in the streets (which is said to be frowned upon in the Muslim world). Now I don't know THAT much about her but I am pleased with what she represents for the oppressed women of Iran and in countries all over the world.

For more information on Dr. Rahnavard, click here.