Three Influential People

First Influential Person: Louise Clyde 

Many people have influenced me in different ways, but when I think about who influenced me personally during the pivotal adolescent years of my life, I think of Louise Clyde, my pastor's wife and piano teacher.  Louise was likely fifteen years older than me, old enough to be ahead of me on the path of life, but not too old that I thought she was out of touch.  Louise was not cool or glamorous, but she made everyone feel special and loved, and she never saw the bad in anyone, only the good.

My Facebook Post from Louise this year.

She did little things like decorate birthday card envelopes with hand drawn flowers, hearts and curlicues.  This might seem silly, but she was very busy, and taking the time to decorate the cards was a visible demonstration of how important you were to her.  She took the time to talk to everyone, giving each person her full attention, complimenting them, and noticing little things that made each person feel special and loved.  Even though she now lives on the west coast and I have not seen her for decades, she still takes the time to make me feel special.  For my birthday this year, she posted a lovely message on my page.  While most people, including myself, post a simple birthday greeting, she does so much more.

In addition to being the most loving, accepting person, Louise was also very passionate about anything she did.  An example of this was in the way she played the piano.  She was a gifted piano player, and she played the piano like no one I had seen before, nor seen since.  She played the piano with everything she had.  She put her whole body into it and she poured her heart and soul into it.  She became one with the piano; whether pounding the keys loudly in a soul-wrenching way, or softly in a poignant way, she emotionally moved everyone who heard her play.

When I think about a true Christian, a passionate person who shows the world Christ's love, I think of her.  She was a perfect Pastor's wife, living her faith for the world to see.  She inspired me to love others without judgement and to be passionate about my work, and I am blessed to have had her as a role model.

Second Influential Person: Frank McGhee

A person who has impacted many people is Frank McGhee.  I met Frank while I was teaching at Osborn High School on the east side of Detroit.  Because the zip code in which Osborn is situated was (and may still be) the most violent zip code in the city, the students who attended Osborn were facing many challenges in addition to their academic challenges at school.  Frank McGhee serves as a mentor to young people through his role with the Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) in the Youth Initiatives Project.

A typical Facebook Post from Frank

Frank McGhee's mission in life is to model a constructive way for his mentees to face their challenges.  He works closely with the young people, teaching them how to be activists, teaching them to become mentors themselves, teaching them to transform their lives, and teaching them to transform their city.  When I was teaching at Osborn, certain students stood out from the rest.  These students had positive attitudes, regular attendance, took their studies seriously, did not get into trouble, and did not get pregnant or involved in the streets.  As I would get to know these students better, they would talk about the NSO.  Later, after I met Mr. McGhee, I began to realize what a significant impact he was having on the lives of so many young people.

One campaign that Frank McGhee nurtured is the "Hugs, Not Bullets" campaign.  This is one way that the young people are combating the gun violence in their community.  It is important that I emphasize that this campaign is not Frank's campaign.  He develops young leaders, and they brainstorm solutions, they train as activists, they counsel their peers, and they speak at the press conferences.   Frank is always present; he helps the young people network; he provides them with a safe place to work, and he nurtures them.  Most of all, he respects them.  He sees a bright future for them, and he helps them see if for themselves.  The young people with whom he works become successful students, become leaders at their school, and become leaders in their community.

Third Influential Person: Eleanor Roosevelt

A person who has left a mark on history is Eleanor Roosevelt. I admire Eleanor for so many things.  She was not a passive, quiet, compliant woman who served behind the scenes.  While she did faithfully care for her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt after polio crippled him, she used her position as First Lady of the United States to make the world a better place.

In my opinion, she did more in her office than any other first lady has done.  She fought for justice for marginalized groups.  She worked for the Civil Rights Movement before it became a movement, and she continued to work for equality for African Americans until she died in 1962.  She worked hard for women's rights, paving the way for women to enter the workplace.  (The famous World War II icon: Rosie the Rivoter was modeled after her.) She also fought hard for people who were living in poverty.  During the Great Depression, she started many programs that improved the lives of thousands of people who were trapped in misery.  Eleanor was born into a place of privilege, and she could have easily enjoyed the perks of her wealth and focused her time on more fun endeavors.  Instead, she chose to fight battles that earned her much criticism and many enemies.  She did not care.  She chose to follow her conscience and do the right thing.

Eleanor was also a great speaker. She maximized the impact of her efforts by motivating others to join her cause.  Many of her quotes inspire and motivate me as well.  Here are some quotes from her that I love:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves."

"When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die."

"You get more joy out of the giving to others, and should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give."

"One of the best ways of enslaving a people is to keep them from education."

As an educator, this last quote speaks to me.  I truly believe that education is a great equalizer, providing opportunity and hope that cannot be found anywhere else.  Eleanor did so many wonderful things that I could write a book about her, and I encourage you to spend more time reading about her and her accomplishments.