Feminist, Me?

God definitely works in mysterious ways, and when we get out of our own way, the real magic begins.

Last fall, as the country braced itself for an imminent recession, I brainstormed on new ways to bring in some more money. One was public speaking, something I did a lot more of before college and still enjoyed.

Shortly after, I got an email from Omega in upstate New York to come be a speaker at their big Women & Power conference in September 2009. I had been recommended by Marcia Gilespie, former EIC of Essence and Ms. Magazines who had taken me under her wing when i needed it the most. Away from my own mom and grandmom in a cold city, I found solace in her round smile and quick wit. A few days later a lady called to fill me in on the details, and we chatted, as I sat in the lobby of the nursing home my grandmother was staying in as she recovered from a fall.

Before she could barely get the words I agreed to be a part of a segment on young feminist today. With my threaded eye brows (beauty really can be a pain) and pearl earrings, I dont mind at all to be labeled a feminist, or any "ist" that's about equal rights for all people. . . .

I wrote an essay about my journey to feminism for the blog Feministing Here's a snippet:

I stumbled into feminism through the back door. And honestly, I am still finding my footing. Growing up in a Black neighborhood in Atlanta's suburbs, going to Black schools, having Black ballet teachers and dentists, I was always exposed to women in powerful positions while being educated on the historical struggles of my people. So the thought that I could be denied things for my gender in this day was a slow one.

It was a big eye-opener to begin to network with powerful women journalists right out of college and be schooled on how recent many breakthroughs for women are in the business and still how far we have to go. Instead of being so tuned in to the lack of Black people in power at a company, network or editorial page, I was also counting the few women too. I left my Black bubble and came back to Earth, where women were only in bigger numbers when it came to births.

I had a new underdog that I was looking at in the mirror and millions of faces around the globe.

Hearing the heartbreaking story of an eight-year-old girl raped then shunned by her family keeps me pushing for change and for women of all walks to have our humanity. Watching young girls blame Rihanna for being attacked by her boyfriend keeps me hosting woman to woman chats with young ladies in the making. Witnessing our Secretary of State called a school girl and her husband step in to help bring women journalists home keeps me rolling up my sleeves.

Oh wait, I'm not wearing any sleeves, much like our fierce First Lady Michelle Obama who has weathered the storm in the mainstream on what it means to be a strong woman and a strong Black woman with grace. I am little late to the table, so I'm ready to make up for lost time.

It's not too late to register and go:)

The Wayward Blogger Returns

Back from vacay . . .

That's me and Sherlock sipping daquiris in Puerto Rico. It was just what the doctor ordered. I woke up early most mornings, watched a little TV and took in the amazing view. I could see both waves and mountains from the balcont. Then it was on to swimming and a daquiri;)

They say traveling with someone is a true test and after five days of just me and him, I was still smiling, and the day after our return we finally checked out The Orphan, which I had been dying to see. Thankful I have somebody who gets me (even in all my forgetfulness . . .) Maybe its meant to be forever. Maybe its meant to be till tomorrow. Either, thankful for the time I do have.

And I strongly urge anyone to do timeshare or resort tours for nice freebies. We got a free couple's massage and a voucher for a three day stay at a Wyndham of our choosing around the country for a presentation, we didnt even have to end up seeing. I booked the appointment for the massages, and we got there they had filled it our for Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. Feminism at its best:)

But our layover on the way back tried to take the cake of the defining moment of the trip. We stopped in Atlanta, so dinner with the parents ensued, with my little sister, 10, along and her bff. My parents are the most functional divorced couple I know. If my sister's friend putting her on blast for being single and "lonely" werent comedy enough, my parents were in rare form. My mom had everybody rolling with my childhood stories of being greedy, and had a good one of her own on walking into the men's restroom unknowlingly and a stranger getting her reaction on a camera. She replied she hoped it wasnt on YouTube. 20 minutes later, Sherlock is working away on the BB. He shares all clear on mom's bathroom story on YouTube.

Then it was time for dad. Somehow he spills to Sherlock a Wall of Respect he's working on in his 25 ft hallway (I never thought it was that long). Along with posters of Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays, he plans to have a certain deity on a cross at the center of the hall. Yes, that one. And i wish I were playing;) Gotta love the family.

So, I am getting back in my blogger grove with photos and more . . .
All the PR Pics here.

Full Moon

That's what my boss quoted for a overflowing day and I agree. As I type at my desk, Sherlock is on the phone and shares details from his interesting day (read: airs his frustrations from incompetent coworkers, that's what girlfriends are for)

And I just am trying to not let anything slip through the cracks as I scurry along. Went to family reunion over the weekend which was a lot of fun, but meant getting everything done before hand to get out and have a good time.

I ate. I ate. I ATE. Fried fish, okra, peas, mac and cheese, BBQ chicken, watermelon and the rest. My dad had put out the word on the new boy and all wanted details. it is absolutely hilarious to me how my dating life and my dad's have parallelled in the last few years. We both were in the first few dates phase two years back and it was like talking to one of my girlfriends as I told details and he did the same. That feeling of your heart beating and you lips smiling when you are feeling on the way to possibly being in love isnt just for kids. As he drove me to the airport Sunday, he asked more questions on Sherlock and I told him of a chance to meet him in a few weeks. On our layover, coming back from Puerto Rico.

My dad was happy we were happy and shared of his own recent trip with his girlfriend a few weeks before to the beach.

My mom's response the day earlier was a little different. A few months back I mistakenly let it slip we were thinking of going to Jamaica. In that way parents jokingly say something but mean it she said he did not have her permission to take me out of the country. I respect her too much to remind her Im a little grown. I may think Im Miss Independent who got her own, but mom quickly reminds me Im baby girl.

So thats how I started the talk after Friday night's fish fry. I respect your wishes, so we are going to Puerto Rico, a US Territory. HA. And yes I know I probably will remember this moment when my own daughter finds a loophole in my words. Though she wasnt ecstatic, she was happy for me and to meet this guy all the way up in NY hanging with her only daughter.

Back at the office this week has been flying.

Today walked Eva Marcille around the office and was cracking up as her and her hair stylist knew all the words for "Tardy for the Party," Kim's song from the Atlanta Housewives.

Time to head out . ..
*picture of me and my lil cousin lil Wayne (he's a junior. HA) He writes and sings his own music. he's six;)