Women's History Month

As March was the month to celebrate Women's History Month, I was asked by the Navy to be their keynote speaker during their Women's History Luncheon. As I have with my journey here in Japan, I would like to share this experience by posting my speech. This is my tribute to my beloved mother and how she impacted my life to face my fears and live my life by faith. I hope you enjoy it.

When I think about the great women in history, who paved the way, I could give you a long list, past and present; Eleanor Roosevelt, women’s rights activist, Delores Huerta, co founder of the United Farm Workers, Rosa Parks, civil rights activist, Gloria Steinem, feminist and Marian Wright Edelman, children’s advocate. These women, many of you may know are inspiring indeed. But the woman who helped pave my way, who was my teacher, my role model, my mentor, my shero, my mom. Many of you here today might say the same about your mothers. When I think about celebrating Women’s History Month, I celebrate her. I celebrate my mother because every fear that I ever faced, my mother was always there telling me I could do it. I celebrate all the mothers who told us we could. I celebrate you mothers here today who inspire, encourage, motivate and lift up our daughters, our girls.


So what I’d like to share with you is my journey and my testimony of how I come to stand here before you today because of my mother’s influence in my life. I’d like to share with you my journey because it tells the story of how I grew to gain confidence to face fears and share my testimony because it speaks to gaining confidence through faith.

Fear tolerated is faith contaminated.

As a little girl growing up, I was very shy, quiet and a bit awkward. The only girl in the family, I was also sheltered and over-protected. At the age of 12, my parents moved me and my 3 older brothers from a place as some refer to as “chocolate city”, otherwise known as Washington D.C. to a place where people often say to me, even today, I didn’t know there were black people there. Omaha, Nebraska, the Cornhusker state. Moving to this new place only intensified my awkwardness and lack of confidence. I was always afraid of the unknown. For me the unknown were things that were new to me and things that I had to face alone, things that I didn’t have the confidence to do. But thank God, I had a loving and nurturing mother who saw in me what I didn’t see in myself, a mother who wanted more for me than she had for herself.



This is the role we as women must play for our daughters, our girls. My mother always pushed me to speak up and to know that even as a young child, I had a voice. She taught me the lessons that only a woman could teach me. That there were no such things as fairy tales or knight and shining armors to save my day, that I am just as smart and capable as the next person and if I set my mind on a goal, I can achieve it for myself.

We must encourage our daughters, our girls that they can stand on their own two feet and dream what some might think is the impossible, as Shirley Chisolm did in 1969, by becoming the first black female United States Representative, Sandra Day O’Conner in 1981, the first female Supreme Court Justice, in 1990, Antonia Novella, the first female and Latino to become United States Surgeon General and Dr. Sally Ride, in 1983 became the first American woman to be sent to space. Dreaming the impossible dream.

Because of my mother’s constant push, I somehow gained the courage and confidence, to stand on stage at the age of 13 and win the North Omaha Girls Club Pageant, at age 17, following in my older brother’s footsteps and mandated by mother, your turn next year young lady, to win first place in the NAACP Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics oratory competition and as a freshman in college become Miss Black University of Nebraska. Because my mother was always my biggest cheerleader, I believe subconsciously it helped me to step out on faith and face my fears.



Five years after college, my mother encouraged and supported my desire to take one of the most courageous steps and leave Nebraska, a place of the known, to a place and experience of the unknown. I left my family, friends and my biggest supporter, my mother, to pursue continued education and a new career opportunity in Ohio. Truly on my own for the first time, I began to see the woman my mother always saw; a woman with potential to do and become more than I could ever imagine. Through education, experience and opportunity, I stand here today because of gained confidence and faith. Confidence to know in my core, that faith is real. We must show our daughters, our girls that with a strong sense of faith, anything and all things are possible. This must be rooted in our core. This is what my mother taught me.

Our role as women can never be underestimated. Whether we are biological mothers or not, we are aunts, sisters, grandmothers; each of us must play a role in influencing the future generation of our daughters, our girls. We must be role models and set positive examples. They watch and hear everything that we say and do. We must lead by example. Our girls expect it, our girls deserve it.

So as I close, you’ve heard my journey and now, my testimony. My testimony of how I come to stand here before you today. It is my constant reminder that my faith real.

In May 2009, I was negatively affected by the economy and was downsized from probably my most rewarding job of 9 years working for INROADS. I worked with minority college students as a coach, advisor and mentor, helping pave the way in opening doors to their future corporate careers. The day before the news came, a Sunday morning, I had an eerie feeling that my name would be called, that I would lose my job. As I prepared to go to church, as I always did, I listened to evangelist Joel Osteen speak to his congregation. He said, “if you step up, God will show up”. He also spoke about stretching one’s faith in God. His words spoke to me. As I contemplated, I thought back to the last year on my job. I had become complacent, unmotivated and unhappy. I was ready to leave a year prior but I allowed fear to keep me there. I lost sight of my faith. With so many people losing their jobs left and right, I talked myself into staying. Fear won out. I had to take a step back and recall all the things that I learned from my mother, what she taught me about fear and facing it.

Even though today I no longer have the physical presence of my mother, her spirit and lessons resonated in me. I knew I had to get busy and do my part so that God would do his and boy did He ever.

Fear tolerated is faith contaminated.


Losing my job was the best thing that happened to me. I didn’t know that at the time but I certainly know it now. God moved me because I wouldn’t move myself. As a result of my job loss I had to step up so that God would show up. I had to stretch my faith in Him. Through much prayer, I knew with all assuredness that God had a plan for me. I didn't know what but I knew He had my back. God was responsible for closing that door and I knew He would open another.



I stand before you here in Japan because the unimaginable happened through a casual conversation with my best friend. I told her that I would love to just pack my bags and leave the country, given the state of our economy. I wanted to leave it all behind. Well you know what they say, be careful what you pray for, you just might get it. Long story short, during several email exchanges with my friend’s aunt who happens to be a professor here with The University of Maryland University College, I was told about an opportunity with the University here in Japan. My resume was forwarded to the Associate Vice President and I was asked to apply immediately. Within a week’s time, I submitted my documents, interviewed the next week on July 13, received the offer the next day and came to Japan one month later, embarking on a new and challenging career opportunity like no other; an example of faith at its best.

My faith gave me the courage, the strength and yes, the confidence to take a leap of faith. The courage to walk through that door that God opened, leaving the known, to a place of the unknown. Through this journey, this still surreal moment, I don’t know what tomorrow brings but I know that with faith anything is bound to happen.
Fear Tolerated is faith contaminated.

Like those mentioned who paved the way by opening doors, mothers pave the way each day for our daughters. There is no role more important.

A MOTHER'S LOVE
A Mother's love is something
that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand. Anne Rice



Mothers, continue to teach your daughters to face fear head on with boldness and confidence. That they must believe in themselves as we believe in them, as my mother believed in me. Our guidance, inspiration and support will allow them to dream the impossible and know without a doubt that with faith and with a mother’s love, all things are possible.

Returning to the States

It has been a while since I sat down to write, 11 months. In the midst of life and priorities, my updates have suffered. Two big distractions occurred. Finishing school, I finished my HR Management Certificate program in August and going through structural changes at work. School took a lot of time with papers and tests and at the same time, work totally preoccupied my time with the impending changes.

Leadership changes brought about changes in the organization structure. To the point, the four regional managers who oversaw operations for the 4 territories in Asia faced elimination of positions. We were give 1 month notice, told that the position would be replaced with a lower level, lower salaried position with less responsibility. For me, the writing was clearly on the wall, I was in jeopardy of losing my job.

It was now time for me to either find another opportunity in Japan or prepare to leave. I put my best effort forward to find employment via the government jobs on the military bases but to no avail. The majority of these jobs are reserved for military spouses. With that, I put forth my efforts to prepare for my return to the States.

Preparing to leave was truly bittersweet. Bitter because I didn't want to leave my work, sorority sisters and my friends but sweet because I did actually miss the States, friends and family.

It was a lot to take on, more than I imagined. I had to pack, sell household goods, sell my car, find a company to ship my remaining personal items, close out all business transactions, including my apartment and relocate to new housing until I departed. A lot to take on in a month's time.

Once I landed on US soil, I was overwhelmed. The transition was not easy. I felt, alone, tired from jetlag and out of place. My attitude was negative because in reality, I didn't want to return, no matter how much I missed the States. I never wanted to return to unemployment, the bad economy, depressing news and the fast approaching cold weather. Regardless of my feelings, I knew that I had to readjust my attitude and get IT together.

With much prayer, support of friends and family, my attitude shifted because through all the negative happenings, I know that I am blessed. I know that everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan for me. Although it has not been revealed, I stay focused on that and know that this uncomfortable journey will come to an end in victory.

UPDATE AS OF 11/14/2011
I remember telling someone that I will have yet another testimony after my second layoff. I never wanted to return to the States with no job. Well we know the story, I was downsized once again and had to return, unemployed. It was tough going through a downsiziing twice in two years but I always knew that God had my back. I had to stay focused on what He did for me before and knew that He would do it again. It was tough for me more so this time around but I prayed that my faith would be stronger. Through it all, I had to continually praise Him for the many blessings that He had given me and will give me. With the support of friends, prayers and staying faithful in God while always giving Him thanks and praise, God heard me.

One Sunday morning, I got up and heard the word from Joel Osteen and he talked about continuing to praise God in the midst of the storm, no matter what. I then went to church and was blessed by the sermon that spoke to me. When you come down from the mountain, times will be hard but you have to remember what God did for us when times were good. Praise HIM. It is so funny how 2 years ago, the exact same thing happened, I got up in the morning and listened to a sermon from Joel about my situation, as if he was speaking to me. He spoke of stretching your faith. I then went to church and the pastor spoke about the same thing. God works in mysterious ways.

As some of you know, during my job search, I stayed focused on getting my foot into the door of Human Resources. It was a challenge because I have never worked in the area but I have the relevant experience. Competing with others who already worked in the field created even more of a challenge. But no challenge is ever too much for God so I prayed and put it in His hands.

I have accepted a job with FirstEnergy in Akron, OH (50 miles from home), overseeing their co-op and internship program. It is the perfect entrance to HR. My hope is to learn other aspects of HR in due time but I'm in!

Going home and returning to Japan 2010

This time of the year, Thanksgiving-Christmas is always tough for me. Holidays are just not the same without my mom but each year it does get easier. I usually look forward to this time breezing by but I have managed to take it in and get into the spirit.

The season started with my trip back to the states. That was truly a gift to myself. I had not been home in a long while and I enjoyed my time immensely. I landed in Chicago, spent a few days there with my friends, LaMonica and the INROADS crew, Monica, Ian and the twins, Kim and my old friend, Yarb's aunt, Liz. They showed me a good time and I loved being in Chicago.

Next stop, Cleveland. My sorors and friends showed me much love. The Delta's scholarship dance was my opportunity to surprise and see Greater Cleveland Alumnae chapter. What a treat that was. It was so good to be in their midst. Days later, some of the sorors got together and we went out to dinner, just to catch up and enjoy each other's company. Some of my sorors from Akron, Virginique, Ramona and Denise dropped in to see me with two bundles of joy.




My dad was able to come in town from Cincinnati and spend Thanksgiving with me. We went to my good friend Cassandra's and enjoyed the day with her family. The food was plentiful and good. It was nice having him around, although I fuss at him, I do it out of love and concern. I let him know that. I was also able to spend a morning visiting my INROADS "mom", Jacque. It was good to catch up with her and have lunch at Melange. That was a treat.


The icing on the cake was my game night at the house. I was able to spend time with my closest friends and boy did we have a great time. My last guest left about 2:30 a.m. I must mention, we played taboo, guys against the girls and we kicked butt!







The day before I left, my friend Kathryn treated me to the bball game, Cavs vs. Celtics. Although I was hoping for a Cavs win, the Celtics did them in. Wasn't so bad given I like the players on the Celtic team. KG is one of my favorite players. It was good to be back in the Q, watching basketball is something I miss living in Japan. That was a fun night.


The things I missed, I was able to take in. My church home, NCBF, Garrett's popcorn, Cheesecake factory, Beachwood Mall, TJ Maxx and Marshalls and my house. My trip home was bittersweet. Sweet because I was able to return to what I missed most and bitter because I had to leave it all behind. Being away for a year and a half, living in Japan has taught me that there is no place like home, no place like family and friends, no place like the U.S.

Going Home

It has been been 3 months since I have written a post. I know, I know, I know. Why and what have I been up to? I have been quite busy. This past summer, 2010, I decided to do something that I have been wanting to do for sometime, go back to graduate school to work on a certificate in Human Resources. I have always enjoyed the field of HR but have no formal education so I thought a certificate coupled with my experience would give me an edge if and whenever I formally enter the field. To say the least, it has taken up a lot of my time, kept me quite busy and challenged me but I have thoroughly enjoyed the program. Juggling my work, class and sorority schedule/commitments has kept my hands full. In between time, I have been able to get a break here and there but not much. I will be finishing up my third class in a couple of weeks and have 2 more classes to go! I see the light. I will officially be finished at the end of summer 2011. YES!

In the meantime, all is well here in Okinawa. My job continues to be a challenge for me but I still enjoy it. My biggest challenge is managing faculty. I won't go into that but I will say, I'm learning something new everyday when it comes to working with folks from all ages and walks of life. I know it will make me stronger and more prepared for my next level career opportunity.

I have not been back to the states since Aug 2009 and I'm so excited to be returning in 3 days. I will first spend a couple of days in Chicago and see friends there. I'm excited about that and excited to get one of my favorite snacks, Garrett's Popcorn! :-) I suppose I will bring some back to share the goodness with friends here. To do that is big for me because I usually don't share my Garrett's popcorn. If you tasted it, you would understand why.

I will then head to Cleveland Hts., back home. I will be staying at my house on Greyton, which I really miss so it will be truly like coming home. I will arrive just in time to attend the Delta's annual Red Hot Scholarship Dance. What timing. When I found out about it, I changed my flight to come in one day early. I thought it would be the ideal way to see folks that I probably would not get a chance to see. I'm very excited about that. I will also get a chance to see my father for a few days. He will travel from Cincinnati and spend Thanksgiving with me and friends.

I will be in the states for about 2 weeks. The time won't be long enough and I hope that I won't feel too sad to leave. Most folks have told me that when they return to the states for a visit, they are always ready to return back to Japan. We shall see if this will be true for me. I only hope to be able to see and do everything that I miss most: friends and family, Target, TJ Maxx, the Mall, did I say shopping, driving on two lane streets, tv commercials, Cheesecake factory, picking up my cell phone to call friends and family and winter/fall clothes.

I will do my best to not let so much time go by again before my next post. I will share my experience during my trip to Hong Kong.

First Year Anniversary

Boy how time flies. I can not believe that it has been a year since I landed on Japanese soil. When I first learned about the job here, it was surreal, no way did I ever imagine that such an opportunity could come my way. When I received the offer and accepted, I had to sit down because again, I could not believe it.

When I finally arrived, it was surreal and that remained for several months. A year into my bless filled journey, it is now real. It actually feels like home. As I sit in my Japanese apartment, away from the world outside, it really seems as if I'm in any city in the U.S. It is not until I step outside that I am reminded that I'm in Japan. Driving down the road on the left side of the street, getting into the car on the right side, the buildings and signs with Japanese words, faces that don't look like me, constant reminders that I'm in Japan.

To my surprise, it took me longer than I imagined to become homesick. It wasn't until the 6 month of my journey that I had a longing for home. That yearning didn't last long but 5 months later, the longing returned. I'm happy to say that I will return for a visit to Chicago (November 17-21) and Cleveland in November (Nov 21-Dec 2).

Upon my arrival, my job was probably the biggest challenge. What a learning curb. I would have to say that it is the most challenging job that I have ever had. A good challenge. In my 6 month, I finally felt more confident and competent. It is funny to hear folks describe me when I first came. One person said I looked like a deer in headlights, another didn't think I would last. Boy did I prove them wrong. My constant prayer early on was "God, I know you didn't bring me all the way here to fail, give me the strength to succeed". Working at UMUC has been my "next level opportunity" for sure. I have so much responsibility. Overseeing an entire region is a lot to take on. It has also allowed me to take advantage of returning to graduate school, for FREE. Once I am finished, I hope to begin learning the language of the land.


The things or people that made my stay here less lonely and more like home are my sorority sisters, yes Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is here. We actually have a chapter in Okinawa, Tokyo and Korea. We are everywhere, I say with pride. Having our brother fraternity has been good too. Hanging out with them has been good. The military has been a lifesaver. Of course, my purpose for being here starts with them. UMUC provides undergraduate education to the military personnel. Although I work for the University, I'm contracted by the Dept. of Defense, which gives me SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) status, access to all the military bases. Why this is such a privilege is because Americans are everywhere so I get a semblance of home. I can shop at an American commissary for my groceries. I love Asian food but I don't want to eat it everyday. I can go to American movies on base and shop at the BX tax free. Entertainment, mostly free, is available on most of the bases. I've had my share of concerts,my last one was Erykah Badu, comedians, spoken word poetry and wine fests.

I know if I didn't have access to the military bases, I don't think I could stay here long. Not being able to speak the language would be difficult, eating the food everyday would be a challenge and lastly, getting to know the locals would be tough. I live among Japanese people but don't interact much with them. Not by choice, but mostly because of the language and culture barrier. I do thankfully have the opportunity to interact with the locals through work, our staff and professors.

Being in Asia has been great. It allows me to travel and see this part of the world. I have been to Tokyo and Korea. In September, I will be heading to Hong Kong with friends and Korea again for work and play. I hope to take another trip during the Christmas holiday. Australia, Mt. Fuji and Singapore are on my list of places to visit. What a wonderful opportunity to see this side of the world. The cultural events and food have been wonderful. Asian cuisine is my favorite so I get to explore a lot of different kinds of Asian foods while here.

Everyone asks me how long do I plan to be here and my answer is pretty much the same before I arrived, 2-3 years. Truthfully, I really have no idea. What I do know is that I don't want to return with the job market as is. I can't imagine coming home to unemployment so when I do return, it will be to a job. I'm asked too, where will I return. Although I still have my home in Cleveland and my great friends, the thought of returning to bone chilling weather just doesn't sit well with me. Where I will end up and when, only God knows. I leave it in His hands. He has ordered my path and I will continue to let him lead me.

One Year Anniversary


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Oh the Beauty of Japan

In my very limited spare time, I have had the opportunity to take in the sites and culture of Japan. This is one thing that I need to commit more to doing. Okinawa is a lovely island, the place where many mainland (Tokyo) Japanese escape to for vacation, much like Americans who escape to the Caribbean.




Okinawa is a small, quiet laid back place. It has taken some adjustments for me because although I am from Nebraska, I am city girl at heart. I love big cities because of the excitement, culture and entertainment it offers.






Before I came here, many would say that Okinawa is the Hawaii of the US. Upon my arriving, I didn't quite understand. It wasn't until I ended up on a road off the beaten path, well, uh, lost I should say, and discovered the beauty of the place I now call home.


So I invite you to enjoy the photos and perhaps it may inspire you to consider visiting me here in Japan. I welcome all visitors, giving you the opportunity to take in the beauty of the little island called Okinawa.

Made in the USA

It has been 9 months since landing on Japanese soil. Before I came here, I said that I will finally find out if the slogan "there's no place like home" or there's no place like the USA" is true. I concur with both statements. It always takes leaving home to appreciate what you have. The grass is not always greener. It reminds me of when I left Nebraska and Ohio. When living in both places, for a period of time, I was ready to move on to bigger and better things. Moving to Ohio soon gave me an appreciation for my home state, the Midwestern, down to earth upbringing that I had. Once I moved to Cleveland, I did embrace the city more than others and appreciated the diversity, culture and friends that the city offered. I think my attitude and approach stemmed from the things that Nebraska lacked, hence, why I left.

Now that I'm living in Japan, I do miss the comforts of home. I live in an environment that offers two very different cultures; the Japanese and the military. Because these environments are so different from what I am used to, I miss home even more and get so excited when I see anything that reminds me of the USA.


The military culture is great to have access to because the bases are like mini U.S. cities. They offer the common comforts of home; the commissary (an American grocery store), chain restaurants (Chili's, Macaroni Grill, Subway, Burger King, Popeyes, Dunkin Donuts and Pizza Hut)and the BX (American Dept. Store). For those who don't fancy the Japanese food or clothing, the bases are a life saver. Many of the clothing stores don't fit average Americans and the food is a bit different from what we are used to. Although I love Asian food, I don't love it everyday so thank goodness for the commissary.

Off base, the Japanese have acquired some made in the USA companies. The fast food restaurants are ones you can't get on base. There is McDonald's, KFC, Baskin Robbins and Shakey's Pizza.









I seem to get most excited when I see American made cars. It just reminds me of home because the cars here are so different. I have seen Cadillac cars and SUVs, P.T. Cruisers, Chrysler 300s and Mustangs. Who knew, me, a loyal Toyota driving consumer would be so excited about made in the USA cars.






Other reminders of home are in my neighborhood. There is one Shell gas station down the road and I live across the street from a Coco Cola warehouse.

I'm looking forward to a visit back home soon. The opportunity to put my feet on US soil is something I'm excited about. In the meantime, I will enjoy the little reminders of home here in Japan.