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On June 22, I had the great fortune
to attend the Black Rose Entrepreneurial Awards luncheon at
the Crest Hollow Country Club. The event recognized the contributions
of 11 outstanding women who are making a difference in their
communities through their entrepreneurial spirits. Amidst
the crowd of approximately 800 people, I found liwomen’s founder
Eileen Tanne, News 12 correspondent and liwomen contributor,
Judy Martin and the former publisher of Working Woman
and Working Mother, Barbara Litrell, who has her own
communications firm. Dr. Maya Angelou, one of the best-loved
authors of our time, delivered the keynote. Since Dr. Angelou’s
words inspired me, I thought I would take this time to share
what she said, as well as recommend her New York Times bestseller
(and my favorite), Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey
Now (Bantam Books, $5.50), as this month’s selection.
Through song, poetry, and heartfelt
words, Dr. Maya Angelou mesmerized this audience. She
centered her message on this main thought: “We all have rainbows
in our clouds.” We all have people in our lives that have
helped us through the darkest of times. These are our
rainbows. And it is for us to be a rainbow, for we must do
good in our community because we will never know how far our
good acts will reach. She spoke of her two rainbows: her Uncle
Willy and her paternal grandmother. Of course, you may read
more about this author’s life in her biographical collections
that include, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.
Dr. Angelou rose to great heights because her grandmother
encouraged her to do so – despite the obstacles and hardships
she encountered.
Perhaps it is because Dr. Angelou
had such a difficult life that she understands everyman/everywoman.
In Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now, one of
her Chapters is entitled, “Passports to Understanding.” There
she writes, “Human beings are more alike than unalike, and
what is true anywhere is true everywhere, yet I encourage
travel to as many destinations as possible for the sake of
education as well as pleasure.” On The “Sweetness of Charity,”
she explains, “I have found that among its benefits, giving
liberates the soul of the giver…The giver is as enriched as
is the recipient, and more important, that intangible but
very real psychic force of good in the world is increased.”
Which brings me back to her message
of “rainbows in our clouds.” Dr. Angelou reminds us to do
good because we can make a difference in our community and
perhaps, even in another community or country. Never underestimate
your power. That’s this month’s message. Dr. Angelou is the
only poet, beside Robert Frost, to deliver a poem at a presidential
inauguration. And, she is the only woman ever to do so. Her
words are presidential. Her wisdom is golden. This is the
type of book that you will refer to time and time again. It’s
a true friend.
Editors Note:
Debra Scala is the Director of Marketing at the East
Meadow law firm of Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP,
and she teaches “How to Market and Promote Your Business”
at Hofstra University’s School of Continuing Education.
Her email address is dscala@cbah.com.
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Below To Order
Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now
or
I
Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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