Organizing for America | Posts with the tag Simpsonville

Posts with the tag Simpsonville

By WEBMASTER - Nov 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 pm EST

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Recap of Michelle Obama's trip to Upstate SC

By Laurin Manning - Jul 3rd, 2007 at 5:36 pm EDT

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As my feet are recovering from traipsing across the Upstate in pointy-toed high heels, my mind keeps drifting back to the special afternoon we shared with Michelle Obama yesterday.

Over 300 women (and a smattering of men) turned out to Bethlehem Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC to hear Michelle and several inspiring women speak at the church's "Salute to Courageous Women."

After Bethlehem's senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Philip M. Baldwin, kicked off the program with an invocation, nationally renowned gospel singer Darlene McCoy rallied the crowd as we feasted upon delectable baked chicken. (I've endured hundreds of l'affaires de rubber chicken. This, friends, was no rubber chicken.)

As the day was dedicated to courageous women, two ladies from the Upstate shared their testimonies of overcoming formidable difficulties.

Special guest Mary Woods described working to establish a first-rate school at Bethlehem Baptist. The school now serves students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade.

The program's second special guest, Jacqueline Freeman, shared her story of survival: Freeman is a widow who overcame breast cancer and lives with chronic disease while raising her teenage daughter. Jackie's gusto and determination were truly inspiring!

Following these stories of courage, educator Katie Kluttz took the stage and introduced Michelle to the crowd.

Michelle shared stories of courageous women she met in the African village of Siaya during her travels to Kenya with Barack last September. Many of these older women, "the Grandmothers of Siaya," serve as primary caregivers to their grandchildren. Michelle challenged us women in the crowd to take care of ourselves, band together, and mend wounds with other women in our lives.

"As the Grandmothers of Siaya teach us, we cannot afford to neglect one another because often times we are all that we have; and in the worse times we are all that we need. So, as I close I ask that, if there is any one in this room who has a broken relationship with another woman; if there is a woman in your life that you have not communicated with because of ego or embarrassment or jealousy or fear of rejection; a sister or a friend or a mother or a child who could or should be a part of your community..."

The "Tribute to Courageous Women" event also offered an ideal setting to invite Upstate women to take part in Women for Obama. (Click here to sign up for Women for Obama in the Palmetto State!)

While the "Salute to Courageous Women" was inspiring, Michelle's visit to the Phillis Wheatley Community Center in Greenville, SC was a heck of a lot of fun. The Center is a safe haven for children of all ages to dance, sing, paint, and play in a variety of after-school and summer programs.

When we arrived, one of the Center's choirs welcomed Michelle with a Gospel-style rendition of Ben Harper's song "I Believe in a Better Way." (The lyrics were altered slightly to specifically address Barack's message of hope.) Many of the children were small, but they sure could belt out some big tunes!

After the serenade, Michelle sat down and talked to a group of preteen girls who are enrolled in the Center's summer program. During the gab session, the girls talked with Michelle about their goals, thoughts about college, and ... bullies.

Michelle didn't have too much of a problem with bullies in school partly because "[she] was tall and [she] had a big brother." She encouraged the girls to talk to people nicely and not to put down folks who are different -- whether they're different because they're the smartest kids in the class or because they do something in a different manner than other kids.

As Michelle and the girls left the room together for a tour of the Center, one young girl (who hopes to be a hair stylist when she grows up) turned to the future First Lady of the United States and inquired, "Is your hair natural?"

"Are you asking if I have weave?" Michelle said with a grin. She informed the girls that her hair is, in fact, au natural.

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