tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79567476297337222532024-03-13T16:37:27.504-04:00GTM Sisterhood NetworkExploring Black Women's NetworksGTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-35267271048435750602011-03-20T08:59:00.002-04:002011-03-20T09:02:57.498-04:00Ooops,<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzOp7kd9pyCdDfEHxn4LRKxzzTfqrNY41rFitlE-lOKBO0QrCnTL-rnoFe-7LDJwyGdeGTxfzAHGAHlhLkTPw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> Made a little mistake and made the first video too large so that it appears a bit fuzzy. This one should look better, I hope so. Anyhow, thanks for bearing with me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-912230068186716052011-03-20T08:49:00.002-04:002011-03-20T08:54:45.605-04:00Barbara arriving in Baltimore, backstage<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxggwFYT2778S7772Ci9qJEqrlkyBrm300TPMoOvFBIhc_QZf5nu6RebutNIOGEKVNiRoW5NeOklS19LvWu7g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Barbara has just arrived and is very "hungry." We are glad to see her and we are getting ready for the rehearsal.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-51305655448179907322011-03-20T08:15:00.005-04:002011-03-20T08:23:26.167-04:00Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady in Baltimore<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='607' height='504' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy23ZgyAkxtBg-J2iv_Ys6mPF69y9RL6ZXCytu8gOATluWjq-AH4FHspyt7czFl31UTsiW9YC2DezsAdmeDPQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwMsLyE_PaUPuhv5NGpbd5B30qr3tj_y5pnfNTnU3ECLmyaMX6E1jQ4hhsveWQjocMgutpNBI0-qtBbKLlqOA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-68574300985623090842011-03-20T07:32:00.003-04:002011-03-20T07:50:37.411-04:00Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady in BaltimoreOn March 18, 2011, Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady were performed at the Coppin State University, James Weldon Johnson Theater in Baltimore. The performance was hosted by the Morning Star Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in the region. The theater was nearly filled, with an audience of great diversity. One of the most exciting things for me was that a return to Baltimore was a return to my home town where I lived for three decades. Some of my relatives came out to see the play and a great number of friends. At least two contributors to the book also came. Joanne Gabbin came from Virginia and Janice Lovon Harris who contributed to the audio book was also in the audience. The most exciting thing about Joanne Gabbin was that a few days before we had a lengthy phone conversation and during that conversation we discovered that we had grown up around the corner from one another. Further, we discovered that her aunt, Mary James, had been my mother's (Margaret Brooks) best friend. We were thrilled to make this discovery. Joanne contacted her "Aunt Mae" and brought her to the play. It was a wonderful reunion. The audience loved the play and we were so excited to play before such a large audience. We took some photos and made a few videos which we will share with you online in several venues including Facebook, Twitter, the blog and our new webpage at www.uncrownedcommunitybuilders.com Another thing we tried which we had not tried before was to ask contributors to submit a video that we could use show on a big screen in the theater before the play began. Several people responded most begged off citing lack of knowledge of how to shoot a video for YouTube and then send it by email. This is something we can all work on together so that we can continue to stay in touch with the latest in technology. Anyhow, a wonderful time was had by all. Thanks to all of you for keeping in touch and giving us your support. I should also add that we heard from the First Lady in sort of a round about way. We had requested that she "skype" a message to the audience at the theater. After a long way, her scheduling office said that she would not be available but that she send her well wishes for success and she hopes we will continue our work in supporting the community. We are continuing to send messages about our efforts with this book. So, we will keep you posted with more info. Other inquiries have come in for the performance of the play and we are excited about this and we will keep you posted.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-29385780576902709392011-03-20T07:32:00.000-04:002011-03-20T07:33:39.612-04:00Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady in BaltimoreUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-62029009664652275082011-03-14T19:43:00.002-04:002011-03-14T19:50:15.941-04:00Go, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First LadyGo, Tell Michelle: Letters to the First Lady is opening in Baltimore this Friday, March 18, 2011. The play will be performed at the James Weldon Johnson Theater at Coppin State University. Cast members are Peggy Brooks-Bertram, Barbara Seals Nevergold and international storyteller Karima amin. We are thrilled. The ticket sales are going great and we wish you could all join us. We are fortunate that some of the contributors to the book will be there and that will be great. We also sent out a call to contributors to provide a video clip of a message that we could use to greet the audience with. Some responded and that should be fun. Further, we finally heard from the White House. While Ms. Obama could not "skype" a message to us, her scheduling staff reported that she sends us well wishes and hope that we continue our work for our community and the country. Lord knows we have done all we know to get a response, so we will take what we can get at this time. Anyway, we are all stoked for the performance and wish you could be with us. We will be sure to take some videos so that we can put them on line. Also, I had the most wonderful experience today. Joanne Gabbin, a contributor and I talked at length today and the longer we talked the more it became evident that we had grow up together around the corner from one another. Her Aunt Mae was my mother's best girlfriend in all the world and lived directly across the street from me! That was so exciting. She will be coming to the play and will bring her Aunt Mae with her. I just cannot wait to see her again. Anyhow, that is enough for now. Love, PeggyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-27058371369338435062011-02-14T15:08:00.001-05:002011-02-14T15:11:29.621-05:00African American women in Europe are invited to Go, Tell MichelleGTM Sisterhood Network is proud to be connected with our African American sisters living and working in Europe and thank them for supporting our work and "Go, Tell Michelle Book 2".<br /><br />We encourage our Network to support Black Women In Europe as they organize to support Black women around the world! Please consider making a contribution to support this work and visit their website, linked below to learn more about this important movement.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://blog.blackwomenineurope.com/2011/02/13/african-american-women-in-europe-are-invited-to-go-tell-michelle/">African American women in Europe are invited to Go, Tell Michelle</a>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-71990028626581348372011-02-12T13:38:00.002-05:002011-02-12T13:43:08.810-05:00YouTube - uncrownedqueens's Channel#p/u/4/B30BCXDABbEOn February 8, 2011, "Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women speak to the New First Lady", a dramatic reading adapted by Robert Knopf in collaboration with Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram was performed at the 10th Street Theatre in San Diego. Seema Sueko, artistic director of Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company, directed this production. Seema comments on the play and its origin, "Go, Tell Michelle", the book.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/uncrownedqueens#p/u/4/B30BCXDABbE">YouTube - uncrownedqueens's Channel#p/u/4/B30BCXDABbE</a>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-4875369540917422572011-02-10T19:15:00.002-05:002011-02-10T19:20:30.037-05:00New Letters and Survey, Go, Tell MichelleThe mid-term election of 2010 has raised our concerns about the up-coming presidential election and is also the mid-point of the Obama administration. It is an opportune time for Black women to, once again, express their thoughts, feelings, concerns to Michelle Obama. The deadline for letters to Michelle, book 2 has been extended to March 1, 2011. We are also asking that you complete a survey, regardless of whether you intend to submit a letter. More information and the survey are available at our webpage: <a href="http://www.15fingersllc.com/survey">Go, Tell Michelle, Book 2</a>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-52893726880859245592011-02-10T19:14:00.000-05:002011-02-10T19:14:50.452-05:00What Women Wrote To Michelle Obama | KPBS.org<a href="http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/feb/09/what-women-wrote-michelle-obama/">What Women Wrote To Michelle Obama KPBS.org</a>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-31702753228261840652011-02-08T14:37:00.002-05:002011-02-10T15:02:21.475-05:00Writing To Michelle Obama | KPBS.org<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l6hiavLzAY/TVREHVGgPUI/AAAAAAAABMw/cwwTKt_nXB4/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BTrip003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572153531678342466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l6hiavLzAY/TVREHVGgPUI/AAAAAAAABMw/cwwTKt_nXB4/s200/San%2BDiego%2BTrip003.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/feb/08/writing-michelle-obama/">Writing To Michelle Obama KPBS.org</a><br /><br />We are in sunny San Diego today, getting ready for the performance of "Go, Tell Michelle" by Mo'Olelo Performing Arts Company and the Women's Museum of California this evening. This morning we had a great interview with Maureen Cavanaugh of KPBS Radio. Listen to our conversation, hot off the airwaves! Many thanks to Maureen, Angela and Seema. Here we are with Maureen, in studio.<br /><br />More to come, see video on YouTube.</div>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-15462419052654352302011-02-08T08:38:00.002-05:002011-02-08T08:41:24.026-05:00San Diego WeatherThe weather is lovely here in San Diego. You can sleep with the windows open--and hope nothing flies in--and it is cool and comfortable. The days are lovely and sunny with just a slight breeze. We hope that any of the sisters from the Go, Tell Michelle Sisterhood Network who are in California and who can make it to the theatre tonight will have a chance to come. That would be doubly exciting. PeggyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-36374728660566014642011-01-30T16:58:00.003-05:002011-01-30T17:04:20.598-05:00San Diego Gets Ready for "Go, Tell Michelle"<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TUXf4mkRruI/AAAAAAAABMQ/lWZ1k7eG5ig/s1600/Go%2BTell%2BMichelle%2BBook%2BCover.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568102677831855842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TUXf4mkRruI/AAAAAAAABMQ/lWZ1k7eG5ig/s200/Go%2BTell%2BMichelle%2BBook%2BCover.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br />One night only at 10th Avenue Theatre<br /><br />The Women's Museum of California & Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company<br />Invite you to join us for an evening of wine, cheese and words with a staged reading of<br />"Go, Tell Michelle:<br />African-American Women Speak to the First Lady"Based on the book<br />Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady.<br />Tuesday, February 8, 2011<br />5:15 PM Reception & Mingle with the Authors<br />Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram 6:00 PM Reading of Go, Tell Michelle<br />Directed by Seema Sueko*<br />The 10th Avenue Theatre<br />930 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101<br />Reservations: Space is limited.<br />Email: <a style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="mailto:tickets@moolelo.net" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tickets@moolelo.net</a> or call 619-342-7395 or 619-342-7395 <br /><br />Admission: Bring something to drink (bottle of wine, soda, whatever you fancy), food to share (cheese & crackers, hors d'oeuvre, or some other munchie),<br />or make a $10 donation at the door</div>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-49940949057146412282011-01-26T15:55:00.005-05:002011-01-26T16:08:38.303-05:00Deadline Extended for GTM - Book Two<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TUCNFg9IVUI/AAAAAAAABME/dH2aQqs5T6E/s1600/Gwen_Ifill%252C_Michele_Norris%252C_NABJ%252Cbrighter.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566604265315128642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TUCNFg9IVUI/AAAAAAAABME/dH2aQqs5T6E/s200/Gwen_Ifill%252C_Michele_Norris%252C_NABJ%252Cbrighter.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The deadline for submission of letters to us for GTM- Book 2 has been extended to March 1, 2011. We have received many calls & e-mails asking for extended time and have decided to add the additional month to the original deadline. We are also asking that you complete the online <a href="http://www.15fingers.com/survey">SURVEY</a> whether you decide to submit a letter or not. Tell us how you think Michelle, the girls and her mother have been treated by the media and the public. Please share the survey with your network. We want to hear from African American women all over this nation.</div><br /><p> </p><p>This photo was taken in the summer of 2009 at the National Association of Black Journalists Conference in Tampa, FL. Gwen Ifill, Michele Norris, Peggy and Barbara</p>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-38110158358316431022011-01-19T20:52:00.003-05:002011-01-19T21:05:02.096-05:00After San Diego, Baltimore!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TTeYJqxCNLI/AAAAAAAABLg/1pmQsMKHcVY/s1600/michelle%2Bflyer.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TTeYJqxCNLI/AAAAAAAABLg/1pmQsMKHcVY/s200/michelle%2Bflyer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564083156505736370" border="0" /></a><br />The February 8th performance of "Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Speak to the New First Lady" is the first performance of this play by professional actors. However, on March 18th, Peggy, Karima and I have an opportunity to reprise our roles in the play in a performance in Baltimore at Coppin State College. Our premiere of the play on January 19th and 20th 2010 was to a packed house of nearly 200 people. The audience was enthusiatic and complementary. A year later, the script has been slightly revised and the three of us are looking forward to this performance.<br /><br />Details are provided on the accompanying flyer. so if you're in the Baltimore area, we'd love to see you for our performance.GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-33711084827462526842011-01-17T22:38:00.001-05:002011-01-17T22:40:38.680-05:00GTM Play Goes to San Diego<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>The Women's Museum of California &<br />Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company<br /></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><b><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />Invite you to join us for an evening of wine, cheese and words with<br />a staged reading of<span style="color:#339900;"><br /></span><span style="color:#993300;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color:#993300;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><i>“Go, Tell Michelle:<br />African-American Women Speak to the First Lady”<br /></i></span></span></span><i><span style="color:#339900;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Adapted by Robert Knopf in collaboration with<br />Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram based on their book<br /><i>Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady.<br /></i></span></span></b><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color:#484848;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color:#993300;"><span style="font-size:6;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b>Tuesday, February 8, 2011<br /></b></span></span><b><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />5:15 PM Reception & Mingle with the Authors<br />Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram<br /><br />6:00 PM Reading of <i>Go, Tell Michelle<br /></i>Featuring Lorene Chesley*, Diona Reasonover, & Sylvia M'Lafi Thompson*<br />Directed by Seema Sueko*<br /><br />The 10th Avenue Theatre<br />930 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101<br /></span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color:#ff9900;"><br /></span><br />Reservations: Space is limited.<br />Email: <a rel="nofollow">tickets@moolelo.net</a> or call 619-342-7395<br /><u><br /></u></span></span></b></span>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-47137525351530168392010-12-05T17:48:00.010-05:002010-12-06T15:57:10.119-05:00GTM Survey Now Online<a href="http://www.15fingersllc.com/survey/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547336468372947202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TPwZIH7wgQI/AAAAAAAABLA/xXUmJfQ7iuU/s200/pbb_ban.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A few weeks ago when we sent out the letter calling for submissions to "Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Respond to the 2010 Mid-Term Elections", we noted that we also were working on a survey. The survey is now complete and accessible by clicking <a href="http://www.15fingersllc.com/survey/">here</a>. We are asking you to share this information with your networks. Whether women choose to submit a letter or not, we are asking them to take a few minutes and complete this survey. The results will be reported in the upcoming book.</div>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-88277457643453600032010-12-01T15:38:00.003-05:002010-12-01T16:03:46.156-05:00Go, Tell Michelle: The Play_Next Performance, San Diego!Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company recently announced that it is very excited to present the first professional reading of the play you adapted, Go, Tell Michelle: African-American Women Speak to the First Lady. Our reading will take place on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 6:00 pm at the 10th Avenue Theatre in downtown San Diego. The Company continues by saying: “Our reading will be presented in partnership with the Women's History Museum and Education Center in San Diego, a small nonprofit organization. We are particularly excited because this reading will fall just two weeks before Mo`olelo's production of Stick Fly by Lydia R. Diamond, and we feel these two pieces will speak to each other in profound ways. Go, Tell Michelle marks a landmark moment in American history with the first African American President and First Lady in the White House; and Stick Fly provides a peek into the lesser-understood lives of African American elite.”<br /><br />Co-authors, Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram plan to attend this premier performance in February and will participate in a “talk-back” following the performance. Local GTM contributors are also invited to attend this performance.GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-51549935733615445182010-11-12T14:55:00.003-05:002010-11-12T14:59:28.735-05:00Go, Tell Michelle: Call For Submissions to New BookNovember 10, 2010<br /><br />“Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women’s Response to the 2010 Mid-Term Elections” (working title)<br /><br />Dear Sisters:<br />Much has happened in the last 24 months! Two years ago this month, we celebrated the historic vote for Barack Obama as this country’s First African American President. We were excited, enthusiastic and hopeful that this election represented a sea change in race relations in this country. Our high expectations were tempered, however, by the tenor and tone of the campaign during which both President and Mrs. Obama were attacked through the use of stereotypic and racist imagery. So on November 18, 2008, we wrote an open letter to African American women requesting their submission of letters and poems that expressed their esteem, regard and support of Michelle Obama, as she embarked on an uncertain journey as this country’s first African American First Lady. <br /><br />The response was over-whelming. In the short span of three weeks we received hundreds of letters. The messages expressed a wide-range of issues that African American women wanted to share with the First Lady as well as their well-wishes and support. For example, many of you used your personal histories and experiences as the backdrop to underscore the important impact you believed that Mrs. Obama would have on the image of Black women – as mothers, career women, accomplished leaders. You told her that you thought she would help to dispel the myths and misconceptions about Black women. You juxtaposed this election against the history of Black people in this country to emphasize its ground-breaking significance. You implored the First Lady to adopt your causes, e.g. health care, education, military families, as her causes. You paid homage to our ancestors, who would have rejoiced “to see this day!”<br /><br />From the many letters we received, one hundred were accepted for the volume we entitled: “Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady”. Since its publication, “Go, Tell Michelle” has received rave reviews and a major book award. It has been used as a classroom text, a model for college women’s self-awareness discussion groups and adapted into a play. It is the only book that provided a platform for the voices of a diverse group of African and African American women to have their say about this historic event in American political/social history. In short, the messages sent to Mrs. Obama spoke not only for the writer but for our sisters around the world.<br /><br />In the wake of the mid-term elections, we look back over the previous two years of the Obama presidency. During this period, the President and Mrs. Obama have faced unprecedented attacks that have included the “birther” debate, questioning President Obama’s citizenship and thus his legitimacy as the 44th US President. The question of his religion has become another “straw argument” in the on-going campaign to discredit the President’s authenticity and recent polls show that a sizable segment of the American population believe that he is a Muslim not a Christian. While still a topic that the President personally eschews, the issue of racism is increasingly identified as being the crux of the personal animosity toward him and his family.<br /><br />While the First Lady appears to enjoy a higher approval rating than the President, she has not escaped criticism, which has been biased, mean-spirited and not befitting the office of First Lady. Many of the projects she’s advanced to combat child hood obesity, aid military families, promote education, for example, have been met with derision and ridicule. Even her personal appearance has been fodder for political opponents and right wing pundits. Most recently, reminiscent of the questions about who paid for Mrs. Robinson’s move to the White House, disparaging comments were leveled at the First Lady for a trip to Spain that combined official business with a mini-vacation for her and her daughter. Mrs. Obama and her children have also been the subjects of stereotypic and racist comments. When the perpetrators were called on these, they tried to cloak their offensive remarks in the thin vale of humor.<br /><br />Given the foregoing and the recent mid-term election results, we think that this is the time to revisit, “Go, Tell Michelle” and for African American women once more to go on record. We are actively working on a sequel to volume one because the outcome of the Mid-Term Election is equally historic, not just because of the resurgence of the Republican Party and the rise of the Tea Party and the so-called “Grizzly Mommas” but for the implications it has for the 2011 Election. While the first two years of Mrs. Obama’s tenure as First Lady have presented successes, the challenges also remain, some of which we anticipated and some we did not. We are returning to you and others asking that you submit another letter to Michelle expressing your sentiments around these issues and your concerns for this young family.<br /><br />We also have a Survey that we are asking you to respond to. We will send this questionnaire under separate cover. Whether you decide to write a letter or not, please take some time to respond to the Survey and return it to us. Once again, we are asking African and African American women around the world to raise their voices and send their messages to Mrs. Obama. We cannot afford to be silent in these tumultuous times. We are asking for your response by December 20th.<br /><br />Please feel free to share this “Call” with others.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Barbara Peggy<br /><br />Barbara/Peggy<br />Attachment: Consent FormGTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-84264945654256195752010-07-19T14:38:00.003-04:002010-07-19T15:34:00.079-04:00McNair Scholars: "Go, Tell" __________<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TESolQ2HpMI/AAAAAAAABGw/Zp2ihIHcfrM/s1600/McNair+Conference.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495702803429434562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/TESolQ2HpMI/AAAAAAAABGw/Zp2ihIHcfrM/s200/McNair+Conference.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>While we have not been as active on this Blog recently as we were last year and earlier this year, we have continued to actively tell the story of "Go, Tell Michelle's" inception, its contributors, it's importance as an historic document and the responses we've gotten to this work from people all over the world. On July 17th, we had the pleasure to speak to a group of over 400 undergraduate and graduate students in the Ronald McNair Scholar's Program. These young people were attending the 16th Annual McNair Scholars Conference, hosted by the University at Buffalo. The McNair Conference is a forum for McNair Scholars and other undergraduates to network, prepare for graduate school, and present research projects before faculty, staff & peers! Students came from all over the country: Mississippi, Colorado, Indiana, Oklahoma, Maryland, New York State, Connecticut, just to name a few.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We were the key note luncheon speakers on Saturday and the audience was attentive and inquisitive as they asked many thought provoking questions following the presentation. We also did something different with the students to engage them in the process of letter writing. We asked them to write a letter to a person in their lives to whom they would want to send a special message. We received responses from about 10% of the students who attended the conference. As we've done with the letters to Michelle, we read the letters to identify the themes of the messages that these young people wrote. This is what we found:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As was anticipated, they wrote letters to the significant people in their lives; e.g. parents, grand parents, siblings, peers, professors, mentors and other family members. In their letters/poems they recognized and thanked these individuals for their love, encouragement, support, sacrifices and even admonishments. Their messages communicated that they were more mature, more self-assured, self-confident and self-directed then they were just a few years ago. They were honest and intro-spective, examining their own limitations and strengths, their aspirations and capabilities. And they declared their determination to not waste the opportunities given to them. They acknowledged the lessons they'd learned from the joyful, painful, sorrowful, spiritual, meaningful as well as meaningless experiences that have shaped who they are today. In all, these young people confirmed in poetic verse and prose that letter writing can be a powerful and meaning mechanism for personal insight and self-expression. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We thank all who had an opportunity to write and for their willingness to share these letters/poems with us. We think that this activity is worth repeating in high schools as well as college programs and look forward to working with other young people as they "go, tell ________" people in their lives.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Send us a message to this blog or to my e-mail address: <a href="mailto:bnevergo@buffalo.edu">bnevergo@buffalo.edu</a> if you have used the model of "Go, Tell Michelle" in a similar way and what the outcomes were. </div>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-18676312307394989412010-06-29T14:05:00.002-04:002010-06-29T14:09:18.238-04:00Dennison Bertram, son of Peggy Brooks-BertramHello My sisters on the Network. I am writing to you again to ask for your votes for my son Dennison in the international photo contest at www.pdnthelook.com He is now in first place but still needs votes to hold on until tomorrow night, June 30th at midnight. I know I have written to you quite a bit recently and I sincerely thank all of you who have voted and who will vote. If you have not yet voted, however, I am just sending this reminder. If you need more information from me, you can find me on Facebook. Thanks again and have a great day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-71360863205132734352010-05-10T12:06:00.005-04:002010-05-10T12:19:58.700-04:00And Now, A word from the West Coast<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S-gx_rgWppI/AAAAAAAABFM/ZAQVcxxm60Q/s1600/gtm_sisterhood_Berkeley3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676717521413778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S-gx_rgWppI/AAAAAAAABFM/ZAQVcxxm60Q/s200/gtm_sisterhood_Berkeley3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We recently received an e-mail from LaRhonda Crosby-Johnson and Dera Williams, who live in the Golden Gate area and who we met last year at our wonderful book signing at Rebecca's Books. LaRhonda writes of her and Dera's presentation on "Go, Tell Michelle" to a college class at Diablo Valley College. LaRhonda writes:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"Greetings Barbara and Peggy,<br /><br />Just wanted to let you know that Dera and I represented the Bay Area GTM authors yesterday in an enjoyable reading and discussion with students at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA.<br /><br />Instructor, Carmen McNeil, had already assigned 5 readings from the book and the class was in the midst of listening to GTM on Stage when we entered. They will be following our discussion with a paper.<br /><br />It was a mutual inspiration fest. Dera and I receiving as much as we shared. Students asked questions about racism, politics and what the Obama administration meant to us personally. What struck me most was how much they enjoyed the telling of the stories that talked about times/events before they were born.<br /><br />It was exciting to see the young people inspired by the book and glad to have been a part of their first movement.<br /><br />Our thanks again to Carmen for the invitation! and Continued success to you Queens.<br />Peace & Power, La Rhonda Crosby-Johnson CEO BARUTI Enterprises "</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We also send thanks to Professor McNeil. Her students response to "Go,Tell Michelle" confirms our belief that this book is an appropriate and valuable text to evoke inquiry, critical thinking, self-reflection and appreciation of the African woman's experience. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We look forward to hearing from other professors who have used this text in their classes.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Photo: LaRhonda and Dera</div>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-2335698440295525092010-04-12T10:45:00.003-04:002010-04-12T10:52:24.654-04:00Blog Radio Airs "Go, Tell Michelle"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S8MznN-CsJI/AAAAAAAABDc/bWiUDtgsQFw/s1600/go+tell+michelle+cover_large.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459263922160971922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S8MznN-CsJI/AAAAAAAABDc/bWiUDtgsQFw/s200/go+tell+michelle+cover_large.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Just when we thought this little book had no more to give, we received an alert from Google that <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theantiqueeshow/2010/03/30/womens-history-month-celebration-tribute-to-michelle-obama-1">Blog Radio </a>was carrying excerpts from our audio book as a Women's History Month salute to Michelle Obama. In actuality it's a salute to all the Black women, contributors and non-contributors to the book, who are the essence of Women's History Month - 24-7 and 12 months during the year.</div>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-52192166044629219852010-03-25T14:35:00.004-04:002010-03-25T14:39:21.683-04:00A Word from President Davis of Empire State College<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S6utSDEhplI/AAAAAAAABDU/YKGJGp0wnek/s1600/alandavis_80.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452642299435656786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 80px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 80px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S6utSDEhplI/AAAAAAAABDU/YKGJGp0wnek/s200/alandavis_80.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />March is Women’s History month, and our college has hosted a number of related events. In addition, there have been many other articles, conferences and seminars generated across the state.<br />At our annual Women’s Studies Residency in Saratoga Springs on March 11, we experienced an amazing presentation by Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram, the co-founders of the Uncrowned Queen’s Institute for Research and Education on Women Inc., at the University at Buffalo.<br />They are the editors of an extraordinary collection of poems, essays and letters titled “Go, Tell Michelle”, which was complied and published in record time between the election of Barack Obama and the inauguration in January, 2009.<br />(Kudos by the way to the State University of New York Press for getting this collection published so quickly and so well.)<br />These writings to the new First Lady from African American women from throughout the Unites States celebrate the joy of women everywhere for this historic moment. They talk about their mothers and their grandmothers, about their own personal struggles, and their hopes and fears for the future.<br />Powerful stuff, and presented to a crowd of women and men of all colors by the two editors with grace, dignity and humor, and especially with a generosity of spirit towards those of us who have benefited from various forms of privilege.<br />Then, on March 16, we had the good fortune to hear from former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Tarr-Whelan, who gave the college’s Richard H. Mattox Public Policy Lecture to a diverse and enthusiastic audience at the New York State Museum in Albany.<br />Ambassador Tarr-Whelan’s new book, “Women Lead the Way: Your Guide to Stepping Up to Leadership and Changing the World,” shares strategies women can use to leverage their unique leadership style that emphasizes communication, collaboration and consensus. She made her point by referring to the recent Oscars. It was wonderful that, for the first time in its 82-year history, a woman won the award for best director, while at every key level in the movie industry, representation by women hasn’t changed in the last 40 or so years. So, yes, let’s celebrate and cheer loudly, create individual role models and champions, but do not take individual achievements as an indication of deep change.<br />Ambassador Tarr-Whelan advocates working towards a “tipping point” which she says happens when just 30 percent of an organization’s decision-makers are women, a goal she hopes the U.S. will make serious effort to move forward on. She explained that “with only 17 percent of Congressional seats and 14 percent of Fortune 500 board seats held by women, the leaders defining the landscape of priorities and solutions continue to look and act much the same as generations ago.”<br />This is also why “Go, Tell Michelle” is such a powerful book: it celebrates the first First Lady for her heritage, her own talents and her accomplishments, but also encourages, challenges and reminds us of the work yet to be done, and that we have to be vigilant.<br />On a daily basis we (well, me anyway as a white male) need to think about how we may unintentionally reinforce or create barriers to full participation in our society of everyone. I see it when others are guilty (and all too often!) but I hope I am big enough to accept criticism when I miss the point too.<br />A dear friend of mine, when we were once engrossed in a discussion of political correctness versus authentic equality, generously offered her summary: “It’s a struggle: the point is to keep struggling, and not conclude that these problems are either hopeless, or somehow solved.”</div><div></div><div>Reprinted from President Davis' Blog</div>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956747629733722253.post-186263952078655112010-03-15T00:52:00.003-04:002010-03-15T10:43:14.809-04:00GTM – On the Road Celebrating Women’s History Month -2010 “Women on the Move: Activism, Revolution, Transformation”<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S5298A38-SI/AAAAAAAABCE/PDOCdtt7s68/s1600-h/barbara+peggy+and+marynell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719962912651554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S5298A38-SI/AAAAAAAABCE/PDOCdtt7s68/s200/barbara+peggy+and+marynell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S52971bwWzI/AAAAAAAABB8/bGRxL8Iv0ds/s1600-h/Peggy+and+the+Hills.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719959841594162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S52971bwWzI/AAAAAAAABB8/bGRxL8Iv0ds/s200/Peggy+and+the+Hills.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S5297TWqXXI/AAAAAAAABB0/PvjV65nuc2M/s1600-h/barbara+and+alan+davis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719950693424498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3A_YyGUdTyQ/S5297TWqXXI/AAAAAAAABB0/PvjV65nuc2M/s200/barbara+and+alan+davis.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" >This month we’ve had the pleasure of addressing several large groups of students, faculty and community members at Buffalo State College, Geneseo State College and Empire State College’s Women’s Studies Residency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We want to thank Dr. Jenn Hunt at Buffalo State College and Fatima Johnson at Geneseo State College for their invitations to speak late in February and earlier this month.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" >Also a very special thank you to Dr. MaryNell Morgan, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Dr. Karen Garner and the planning committee at Empire State College for the invitation to share the messages of “Go, Tell Michelle” at the Women’s Studies Residency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On March 11<sup>th</sup>, we had the pleasure of being the keynote speakers for the Residency, which was sponsored by Empire State College in Saratoga, New York.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Appropriately named, “Women on the Move:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Activism, Revolution, Transformation”, this conference kicked off with our keynote address on “Go, Tell Michelle” and continued with a series of workshops on the theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We spoke to a large diverse audience, including Empire State President Alan Davis and his wife; the Deans of the Northeast Center and the Center for Distance Learning, administrators, faculty, students and members of the Saratoga Springs and surrounding communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" >We were greeted by such a warm, enthusiastic group!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And had a great time on Thursday night!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A book signing that followed the presentation was a complete sell out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We met so many wonderful women and men and regret that we did not have time to talk to everyone at length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But one special gentleman that we met, along with his wife – Mr. & Mrs. William Hill- shared with us that he’d heard our interview with Michele Norris on NPR in January 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After listening to the interview, he said that he went out immediately and purchased numerous copies of the book for young women in his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And he intended to share the book with others, via the book itself, Facebook and word of mouth, especially now that he’s had the chance to attend our lecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" >Thanks William; not only for your support of this work, but for understanding its significance and for making the trip to meet us and share your story. We look forward to meeting you and your lovely wife again in the near future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;color:black;" >Photos: Barbara and President Davis; Peggy and Mr. & Mrs. William Hill; Barbara, Peggy and MaryNell </span></p>GTM Sisterhood Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251994076126529854noreply@blogger.com0