Angie was lying on the sofa when the doorbell rang. She quickly got up, ran into the room and stuffed the pillow under her blouse. Then, she walked slowly to the door. She peered through the keyhole. It was her mother. "Hello, Mama," she greeted her when she opened the door. Mrs. Lopez stepped into …
She Broke the Mold
Did I flummox everyone when I, an African-American woman spurned the usual courses tailored for women at Oberlin and took a program of Greek, Latin and higher Mathematics designed for gentlemen? Why shouldn’t I, a child of God, aspire to higher goals? 42 Words Mary Jane Patterson, born into slavery, became the first African American …
Aaron Goes to Church
I'm sitting across the street from where Jully's church is. I'm very nervous. It's the first time she will see me with my hair cut low. One look at me and she will know that I have black in me. Up to now she still thinks that I'm Asian and now she's going to find …
Jealous Friends
She watched them. She had no right to be jealous because he was her boss. They had a seven-year working relationship and during that time, they had become friends. However, things had become complicated when she fell in love with him. And that was why it really hurt now to see him with Melissa. Was …
With One Stroke
My name is Lyda Newman and I was born in Ohio. I’m an African-American woman, inventor, women's rights activist and a hairdresser. One day, I thought to myself, why don’t you invent a hairbrush? The current ones were made of boar’s hair. I wanted the process of brushing hair to be more hygienic and efficient. …
Rocky
She had called him on her way over and he hadn't sounded at all pleased. He had been abrupt and tried to dissuade her from going to his workplace but she insisted. And here she was now, waiting for him. Her heart began to pound when she saw him coming towards her. She stood up …
Brody Learns About Kalisha
"Brody, there's something I need to tell you," Marianna told her son when she went to see him. They were standing in front of the courthouse. She had called him that morning to tell him that she needed to see him and he asked her to meet him there. "What is it, Mother?" he asked. …
Malcolm’s Story
Image by iStock I'm a single father because my wife, Keisha died in hospital. This shouldn't have happened. Keisha should still be alive and here with our son, Byron and me. Shortly after Keisha gave birth to Byron, I noticed that the fluid in her Foley catheter, the thin tube inserted in patients to drain …
The Wedding Luncheon
It's a beautiful day and I'm on my way to pick Mandy up. We're going to the church where her co-worker is getting married and then, afterwards, we will head over to The Hampshire House on Beacon Hill." for the reception which is a luncheon. I'm not really looking forward to going and I kept …
Lunch With Curtis
"So, how are things between you and Curtis?" Marsha asked Jodie. Jodie turned to look at her, a slight smile on her face. "They're going well," she replied. "I'm having lunch with him in an hour." "Good. I'm happy to hear that. I was beginning to think that another year would go by and you …
Notes to Women 