1: The Power of One

This summer, while at a conference, I had the opportunity and pleasure to hear Marley Dias speak...and promote her new book.  There, she sat...alongside one of my favorite young adult authors Kwame Alexander.   Lively, vivacious, seemingly quite comfortable in front of an audience of adults, she quickly impressed me with her drive, energy and loyalty to her cause.

In the Forbes article entitled "From Activist To Author..." written by Maggie McGrath, Dias further explains why she began the mission to find #1000BlackGirlBooks, "I’m working to create a space where it feels easy to include and imagine black girls and make black girls like me the main characters of our lives."  From those original few books...to the goal of 1000 books, Dias discovered and now promotes over 9000 such books.  What an inspiration she is!  As I listened to chatter this past summer and have reflected on her book, I mentally confirmed that within my own class library...and maybe the one here within our local high school?...that we, too, do not excel in discovering books with main characters of other races.  Soooo...know a book about a black main character?  Click here and join the movement.

Another person who demonstrates the "power of one" would be my friend Linda Bastian.  One of her many faces...or roles...or jobs...in her very busy 70+-year-old life...takes place at the Independence County Jail where is the coordinator of the Women's Ministry.  In this position, I am sure that she is the person I always meet and greet...every single time...smiling, telling stories, and giving that last hug as she leaves for her next adventure.  Did I mention she travels there every week?  Yes, weekly.  What a role model!

In conclusion, these women...of vast age differences...truly provide inspiration for their intense loyalty to an endeavor they hold close to their hearts as they make a difference within their own lives and many they encounter.  This should be a goal of all...to impact those around us, even if they are just observing us from afar.  Girl power!  Yay!