By Darla Mayse, Sourcing and Recruitment Marketing Specialist
February is turning out to be a month full of “to do’s” both professionally and personally. Now that there’s a toddler in my life, I have to add making Valentine’s Day cards to the list, in addition to researching a prominent African American woman to portray at my church’s black history celebration. (By the way, I welcome your suggestions.)
As I was exploring options for celebrating Black History Month, I came across the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) – the founders of black history month. Each year ASALH selects a theme for the year’s celebration. This year’s theme, Black Women in American Culture and History, recognizes the numerous, unique contributions that African-American women have made to the advancement of the Nation. I like the idea of a theme because it allows me to focus on learning about one aspect of our culture at time.
I thought about all of the women, both black and white, who have made a significant impact in my life. At Sodexo, we call these folks heroes of everyday life. Each year, the Sodexo Foundation recognizes employees who have invested time, talent, and spirit in helping those who go hungry every day. Award recipients are honored at the Sodexo Foundation Dinner and receive $5,000 for their hunger-related charity of choice. Employees like Julia Pipkins, Senior Instructional Designer, provides food for those who are hungry and gives hope and inspiration to those around her. In many ways her work in the community reminds me of my grandmother (pictured on the left) – always finding ways to lend a helping hand to a neighbor and encouraging others to do the best they can. She’s not with us anymore, but she was definitely our everyday “sheroe”.
As we celebrate Black History month and continue ticking off things on our “to do lists”, let’s pause and think about those women who have made an impact on our nation as well as in our lives personally. Honor them by reaching back and lending a hand up to help someone else become history in the making.
Let us know who has made a significant impact in your life!
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