Betty Ford: The First Lady Who Tore Down Walls

Happy birthday to former first lady Betty Ford, who would have been 101 today. She was one of the most important first ladies, and women in American history. In September of 1974, just weeks after her husband became President, Mrs. Ford accompanied her friend who was going to the Doctor to have a breast examination. […]

Booker T. Washington: A Man Who Pulled Himself and Many Others Up From Slavery

Booker T. Washington was born in rural Virginia April 5, 1856. He grew up a slave. Around the age of nine he was set free by the emancipation proclamation. He dedicated himself not to feeling sorry for himself, but fighting and working to get an education. His autobiography, “Up From Slavery” is an incredible work, […]

Maya Angelou: The Caged Bird That Still Sings

91 years ago today, Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She is often remembered for her words and inspirational quotes, but her life was much more than that. She is an incredible story of resilience. She was raped by her mother’s boyfriend when she was eight years old. The boyfriend only spent one […]

Please Stanley, Don’t Hurt ‘Em

Say the word “Stop” in in the presence of a group of middle aged people and you will likely get a word hurled back at you in response: “Hammertime.” Anyone who listened to popular music in the early 1990’s still vividly remembers the exuberant dance party songs and videos of M.C. Hammer. What many […]

New Friends Lead to New Learning

Three years ago today, I was enjoying one of the perks of being a high school teacher: spring break. I was in the Phoenix area to watch spring training baseball, and I went for a morning run in the Arizona desert. I was lucky enough to make a new friend and learn a really cool […]

St. Patrick’s Day: Know What You are Celebrating

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. We celebrate not only St. Patrick today, but also our many Irish friends and neighbors. Here are some things that many people don’t realize: 1. St. Patrick was born in Great Britain. He was captured and turned into a slave by the Irish. He became a Priest after he escaped. 2. […]

Albert Einstein: Would We Have the Compassion and Patience For Him Today?

140 years ago today, the man who many proclaim to be the greatest scientist of all time was born in Ulm, Germany. His name was Albert Einstein, who was also a slow learner as a child and a refugee as an adult. It is a curious question to ask ourselves if we would have been […]

James Reeb: An Angel Too Soon

Not all that have fought and died for this country did so in the military. There are many unsung heroes and martyrs who gave their lives on our own soil to make this a better place. Minister James Reeb is one of them. His story should be known. Photo Credit: Clarion Ledger On March 7, […]

The Salvation Army: 139 Years of Helping Those of Us Needing it the Most

On this date in 1880, the Salvation Army came to America. This brigade of charity had been started in 1865 in London. Their first meeting of 8 people took place in New York City on March 10, 1880. The Salvation Army began with the mission of caring for those who were rejected by the […]

Jim Valvano Lost to Cancer But Gave Others a Chance to Win

Happy birthday to Jim Valvano, who should have turned 73 today. Instead his life was ended by cancer at age 47. He led North Carolina State to an N.C.A.A. college basketball championship when he was 37. Any sports fan alive then remembers him running up down the court after the game, hugging everyone in sight, […]