Wendy Swan Research Paper

Hip hop is a culture and lifestyle that is 95% male dominated, yet without the contribution of women in the early stages of its birth, rap would not be the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. One of the most major contributors to this new scene would most definitely be Sylvia Robinson, otherwise known as the grandmother of hip hop. This woman, the founder of Sugar Hill Records, released the first official rap song called “Rapper’s Delight”. The song was so successful that it actually made it on the billboard charts at #36. It was also rated #14 on the R&B charts for two weeks straight. Sylvia Robinson was so experienced that she was able to find an unknown individual accompanied by two friends, create the Sugarhill Gang and turn them into one of the biggest hip hop groups out there. Without Robinson’s vision for rap and commercial elements implemented within, this hip hop culture would not have flourished the way it did in 1979. As if that accomplishment on its own was not good enough, her record label released multiple songs by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. Even though Grandmaster Flash eventually leaves her record label, this incredible business woman was able to continue to pursue her vision without the leader of the bunch. She later creates a new centre of attention for the group, known as Grandmaster Melle Mel and continues with success. Thus, it is evident that this woman provided

Kate Kimball is an award-winning fiction author who has worked hard to be in the position she is in now. Despite currently struggling with her health, she has continued to peruse her English PhD in Creative Writing here at Florida State University. Born in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah Kimball is surprised to find herself over 2,000 miles away now studying in the sunshine state. FSU offers one of the top creative writing programs that currently is ranked top 5 in the nation according to The Atlantic Monthly. Kimball was excited to be accepted into the accredited program after earning her bachelor’s from the University of Utah and masters at Virginia Tech. Kimball has always loved writing and says, “Creative writing allows you to write about

Debbie Allen was born to Vivian Ayers and Arthur Allen on January 16, 1950. At age three she started dancing and at age four she knew she wanted to be a professional dancer. Her parents divorced in 1957, and her mother was Debbie and her siblings were encouraged to be creative and independent. In 1960, Vivian Ayers took her children to Mexico. When they came back to Texas, Debbie auditioned for the Houston Ballet School but was denied because the color of her skin. A Russian teacher at the school saw Debbie perform and secretly enrolled her. When she was sixteen, she auditioned for the North Carolina School of the Arts but was rejected because her body was “unsuited” for ballet. While she was in high school she put her studies first and went

Heather Whitestone was born February 24, 1973 in Dothan, Alabama. She was the youngest daughter of Daphne and Bill Whitestone. Heather has two sisters, Melissa and Stacey. She was able to hear and speak until she became sick at eighteen months. Her family were unaware of her deafness. They found out that Heather was deaf during Christmas of 1974. Her mother happened to drop several pots and pans in the kitchen that scared the family members who heard the loud crash. But, Heather who was playing by the Christmas tree did not react at all to the loud commotion. Her mother took a spoon and a pot and banged them directly behind Heather’s back who still did not show any reaction to the noise.

Maria W. Stewart, a “black abolitionist, feminist, author and educator” originating in the nineteenth century, can be considered as one of the most influential women in history (African American Registry). Known for writing articles for William Lloyd Garrison’s newspaper, The Liberator, Stewart became the first American woman, who also happened to be black, to deliver multiple speeches to an audience from a public platform. Between writing about anti-slavery to spreading her opinions through four powerful speeches in Boston, Massachusetts, Maria Stewart is unquestionably worthy and qualified to be the subject of a film or documentary due to the fact that she was “the first woman in America to address mixed gender and race audiences on the topic

Cathy was born in Mackay, Queensland on 16 February 1973, three hours from her extended family who lived at Woorabinda, an Aboriginal mission. She moved around with her family living in Hugehendan, describing it as a ‘dry and dusty coal-mining town’, 500 kilometres west of Mackay, to Kooralbyn, on the outskirts of Beaudesert in South East

Cathy Freeman was born on February 16, 1973 in Mackay, QLD. (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2017). Cathy has achieved quite a lot in her life thus far, and is an inspirational figure for many Indigenous, and Non-Indigenous Australians. Her legacy is still recognised as a hero today.

Sarah Breedlove which name she was born into on 12/23/1867 in Delta Louisiana on a cotton plantation.Sarah Breedlove parents name was Minerva and Owen Breedlove.Sarah Breedlove had 5 siblings.In all 6 kids Owen and Minerva had,Sarah Breedlove was the first one to be born-free.Sarah Breedlove was born-free because she was born around the war of 1812.

In Delta, Louisiana Sarah Breedlove was born to parents Minerva and Owen Breedlove on December 23, 1867. Sarah was the first unrestricted child to her recently freed (from slavery) parents. Sarah’s parents worked on a cotton field, when Sarah was old enough she worked with them. Although Sarah had a lot of work she managed to have fun with other children. They went to fish fries where people sang and danced, in addition they went to church on Sundays with their families. When Sarah was about 5 years old her mother unexpectedly died and less than 2 years later her father died. Sarah went to live with her sister, Louvenia and her husband, who was very cruel to Sarah. In 1878 the 3 moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi because of the yellow fever outburst.

It was a privilege to listen to Stephanie Garrison share her story and provide encouragement for our own lives. Personally, I found it very admirable how willing she was to share and be vulnerable. Anyways, Stephanie is currently in her 14th year at Southeastern and serves as the Assistant Athletic Director under Drew Watson. Beginning in the athletics department in January of 2014, as the Director of Operations. Before she joined the athletic department, she served as the Director of Event Services, Resident Director, Online learning coordinator and a variety of other departments at Southeastern. She is a two time graduate of Southeastern, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management and an MBA. Recently, she has taken on the responsibility of Director of Operations at the Balance Culture while still serving as

Katheryn Marie Hawkins was born in fort Knox Kentucky on December 29,1998, at Ireland military hospital where she was 81 lbs , 6 oz and 23 inches - normal delivery . she was the second child of Russell and Catania Hawkins . she spent her 1st 6 months at home with her mom but on the 7th month, she started daycare at little angels daycare . she loved it there and they loved her . her favorite food was strained Gerber peaches and strawberries . her favorite drink was milk . she learned how to walk and talk faster than her older brother and even began doing chores around the house by the time she was 2 .

Sarah Merryman spent the first fourteen years of her life in Long Island, New York. After moving to West Lafayette, Indiana in 2010, she underwent the challenge of adapting to the American Midwest. In the process forming a new life, she experienced several new adventures such as playing third-baseman on the girls’ softball team. After spending a gap year following high school graduation, Sarah entered the world of higher education by enrolling in Ivy Tech Community College with the intent of earning an associates degree in liberal arts. Pleasantly surprised that she survived her first year of college, Sarah has spent her second year at Ivy Tech taking advantage of every leadership opportunity available on campus. Her current experiences as

“Amanda Clark’s phone conversation came to an abrupt end when her Chevrolet Trailblazer rolled three times before landing on its roof. She had run a stop sign and was broadsided by another driver. Metal caved in around her, but the roof stayed intact and she survived with just scrapes and bruises” (Tracy). Amanda Clark survived her first car accident caused by distracted driving, but wasn’t as lucky the second time. After she started driving again, she pledged to put her phone away and focus on driving. Clark’s Mother, Bonnye Spray, said, “I thought this would be a wakeup call for her, and it was for a short time she wouldn’t talk on the phone, she was more cautious. But she got more confident in her driving and a sense of ‘Hey, I survived one, I’m invincible, nothing is going to happen to me now’” (Tracy). A year after her accident, Clark was driving on a highway. She

Lena Wilkes was born in the small secluded community known as Comnor Valley. She was raised in a polygamous family, with four mothers and forty-seven siblings, all members of the First Consecration Order (FCO). When she was sixteen years old, after years of abuse, including being impregnated by her own father and being forced to marry her first cousin, Alma Wayment, she fled her family and faith. After many years as a vagabond in Middle and Southwest America, Lena eventually finds acceptance and sanctuary in the small Navajo town of Powell, just 50 miles east of her former hometown. While she tries to keep contact and connection with other former FCO members and runaways in the surrounding region, she chooses to center her focus on building herself a new life away from her past. She's thrust into

Angela L. Shine, LMSW is a local, regional and national champion of increasing mental health awareness, especially working together with interfaith organizations and communities. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Angela currently lives in Columbus, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where she received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree, respectively, in social work.