Felicia S.

My story of triumph is not about me but about my grandmother Mary Lee Jordan, who will celebrate 94 years of her life on October 22. My grandmother came from a modest background.  Her mom and dad were share croppers, and because they never had any boys, the five girls they did have worked the land and dropped out of school at 6th grade to take care of the farm. With just her 6th grade education, my grandmother overcame prejudice and adversity by moving north, doing hair in her kitchen and selling Madame CJ Walker hair care products. Along with her at-home business, she worked in a laundry, a Chinese restaurant and a food factory to take care of her mother and four children. My grandmother has been through a lot, more than what 500 words can tell, but I believe she deserves honor before it's too late. If you ever met my grandmother, you would not want to leave her presence. She is a beam of wisdom and kindness and serves her church wholeheartedly as a Deacon and church Mother. She is also a walking history book.  She can tell you how things really were under each president from 1912 to now.  She can tell you that her house was the first on the block to own a television, about how her sister had to hide toys and food at her house whenever the welfare workers would go through her sister's apartment in the projects.  She can also tell you about when the war ended and how she hugged her children and cried as she listened to the crowds cheer in the street for joy that the war was over. My grandmother is the epitome of a Black Matriarch.  This family adores her and once you meet her you will too. Thank you.