Invest in the Human Soul: Who is Shirley Sherrod?
Written By Dr. Evelyn Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Preservation Institute, Inc
National Council of Negro Women Inc. Life Member

The story of Shirley Sherrod and a rush to judgment by individuals and organizations that should know better, i.e., CNN, the NAACP, and Whitehouse “Staff,” is more than unfortunate. It is a sad reflection of just how deep the denial of a broad racial divide really is in this country.

Mrs. Sherrod is, in truth, an American hero. She is a shining example of being a “lady,” even in the midst of a national campaign to discredit her character and years of incredible work for farmers of all races. A lady is defined as: a woman who is refined, polite, and well-spoken. Without a doubt, Mrs. Sherrod is all of that. With some of the most horrendous news coverage, name calling and total untruths, she remained calm, articulate and polite. She did not buy into accusations of her accusers or those who declared her a racist. She did not allow herself to be sucked into the “black hole” of revenge. She showed more courage and strength of character than viewers of the news has seen in a very long time. Mrs. Sherrod reminds us of The Spirit of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and Dr. Dorothy Height. At a time when, with few exceptions, black women are being viewed as angry, with low moral standards and limited value on a global level, Mrs. Sherrod connects the here and now with the examples of the past. Even as she reflected on the murder of her father by white men, she showed a spirit of moving forward, forgiveness and a clear desire to work for a better relationship among the races.

My grandmother, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, was the product of the Deep South. Growing up in a rural community of sharecroppers, she managed to gain an education and use it to make the world a better place for all people but women in particular. She showed women of various economic, educational and racial backgrounds how to organize and work together in achieving equality. Dr. Bethune accomplished her mission, not by brute force but with style, persistence, a calm but firm commitment and preparation. On her journey, she began to mentor her chosen replacement, Dr. Dorothy Height. No one worked harder for Civil Rights for more than 50 years, than Dorothy Height. Like her predecessor, she believed in being a ‘Lady” at all times, leading with a firm hand that was often encased in a glove to match her signature hats, stating her case articulately and always persevering to the end. Dr. Dorothy, like Dr. Mary, never believed in giving up. Like Mrs. Sherrod, they too endured slander, many attempts to discredit their work, name calling and lies. They responded by loving their enemies into submission. Their faith moved them forward in spite of the odds against them and allowed them to build institutions that will honor their work long into the future.

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Dr. Dorothy Height, and Mrs. Shirley Sherrod, three African American women who worked to make the world a better place and in spite of attempts to destroy their character, continued to stand their ground, never giving in to hate or revenge. These women stand as examples of what it means to “be a lady,” even in the midst of the storm.

Mrs. Sherrod is a woman of great inner strength and an example for us all. She made us feel proud of our womanhood and even more determined to “act as ladies.” As women of the National Council of Negro Women, we too must lead by example. The young girls and women of today need our wisdom and our encouragement. The Women of NCNW like Dr. Bethune and Dr. Height, must reach out to these young sisters, never giving up on them. We must “Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough. (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune)

In the Spirit of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Founder National Council of Negro Women Inc.

Dr. Evelyn Bethune
Author of BETHUNE:
Out of Darkness Into the Light of Freedom
www.marymcleodbethune1875.com

A Knock At Midnight
Next Steps
HIV Prevention Summit
for the African American Community 

The critical and high-level strategy session that reviewed  the outcomes of the initial “Knock at Midnight Los Angeles Regional HIV Summit was a great success!

The afternoon strategy sessions consisted of breakout groups that discussed and made recommendations on strategies to reduce HIV/AIDS in our African American communities.

Click HERE for article
 

Click HERE for
Black HIV Summit Report
Los Angeles Region
September 2003