GOOD LIL’ SCHOOL GIRL FOUNDATION

We women of color are such good little school girls. An entire world -- economies, societies, communities -- has been built on the good works of black and brown women who have done the work, stood in the gap, made the hard choices. These are women who have served and done the work with loving attention and commitment.

So often, that contribution has not only gone unrewarded by the world, but also gone unacknowledged by those who have directly benefited: their families, their churches, their communities, their schools, their charities, their friends, their co-workers, their employers.

That’s why I established Good Lil’ School Girl Foundation in the first year of the 21st Century.

Good Lil’ School Girl Foundation seeks to acknowledge and honor the work and service of these women, young and old, who have stood in the gap for so many people for so long that the service – extraordinary in its scope and accomplishment -- is now taken for granted. Whether it is a $25 check to a high school graduate on her way to college, marking a first time for her family, a signed copy of one of my or another author’s books, help with paying an overdue telephone bill, a stylish business suit for new job seeker or just a note of encouragement.

It has been black women at the forefront of every human rights movement from the Underground Railroad to the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th Century. It has been black women – good little school girls – teachers, midwives, nurses, organizers, foster parents, cooks, music directors, church members, club leaders, big sisters and friends. – who have led, supported and created. We continue to be there for strangers and for each other.

It goes without saying, but it needs to be said. We are such good little school girls!

Good Lil’ School Girl Foundation has a number of plans on the drawing board to lift, encourage, promote, reward and love. The projects include a national mentoring program; retreats for authors and emerging writers; Good Lil’ School Girl book clubs for elementary, middle and high school students; establishment of libraries in small rural areas, and partnerships with other organizations around health and empowerment issues.

We encourage you to sign up as members and to share your ideas and resources with us.

I look forward to hearing from all of you Good Lil' School Girls.

Be blessed…you are a blessing.

--Tina McElroy Ansa

 

Credit: Character Art - Varnette P. HoneyWood; Site Design - Kay W Designs and Artistic Perceptions
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