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Testimonies

Testimonies are personal accounts, oral and living histories pertaining to black grandmothers. When we testify, we share our stories to liberate ourselves and others, in this case black grandmothers and their grandchildren. Each testimony will feature a visual and/or audio representation of the story being shared. From across generations, time periods, and time zones, testimonies will reveal how black grandmothers, past and present, help define who we are and what we can become.

TESTIMONY: ASHA ALI
6 years ago

TESTIMONY: ASHA ALI

AYEEYO MACAAN (SWEET GRANDMOTHER)

“I remember the scorching sun hitting my back while tears strolled down my eyes. I was eight months pregnant and was holding my two boys’ hand …
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TESTIMONY: KARLEE DARRELL RUFFIN
6 years ago

TESTIMONY: KARLEE DARRELL RUFFIN

My grandmother, Ruth Ruffin (September 3, 1938-), is the daughter of Mable Toney and Wingfield Ruffin. Her grandchildren call her ‘Grandma Ruth’ or ‘Gee Gee’ and she lives in …
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TESTIMONY: MYLES LONG
6 years ago

TESTIMONY: MYLES LONG

“The Life in All Living Things”

My parents were teenagers when I was born. So, my parents and I lived with my grandparents in their home in Seattle, Washington …
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RESILIENCE: STRIVE FOR BLACK EXCELLENCE
6 years ago

RESILIENCE: STRIVE FOR BLACK EXCELLENCE

By  •  Work, Resilience

Resilience is always giving it your best. Erica Haynes-Ferguson’s great-grandmother, Dr. Annie Lee Richardson (March 13, 1918) passed down to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the motto: “Good, better, best never let …
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TESTIMONY: KIRSTYN KOREN THOMAS
6 years ago

TESTIMONY: KIRSTYN KOREN THOMAS

“The Beautiful Creation of Your Children”

Loreli Warren (August 13, 1938) is my grandma as well as a grandmother to three other grandchildren. She was born and raised in …
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TESTIMONY: SADE VICTORIAN
6 years ago

TESTIMONY: SADE VICTORIAN

“Good, better, best never let it rest until the good becomes better and the better becomes best” these are words of wisdom that has been passed down through many generations. …
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RESILIENCE: DELIGHT IN THE LAUGHTER OF CHILDREN
6 years ago

RESILIENCE: DELIGHT IN THE LAUGHTER OF CHILDREN

Resilience is appreciating the small things, especially the contagious laughter of children.

Kelly’s association of the sound of laughter with being a grandmother reminds me of something that Nelson Mandela …
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TESTIMONY: MALCOLM SECRIGHT
6 years ago

TESTIMONY: MALCOLM SECRIGHT

“More than “Hurricane Ethel”- A Purveyor of Lessons”

I am a freshman at the University of Washington. I was born on October 5,1998 and raised in Federal Way, Washington. Growing …
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RESILIENCE: LIVE YOUR PRIORITIES
6 years ago

RESILIENCE: LIVE YOUR PRIORITIES

Resilience is identifying and living your priorities.

“I learned something about the importance of living close to your children and your grandchildren and to make that relationship a priority in …
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TESTIMONY: RIMAUJHIA GREENLEE
6 years ago

TESTIMONY: RIMAUJHIA GREENLEE

“She is the sugar honey iced tea!”

“Great. Wonderful. Magnificent. Joyful. I can only find action words to describe what it feels like to be a grandmother. My favorite part …
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