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
|