RENEE
Be who you want to be and never accept “no”.
RENEE
It was standing-room only that day. 124 years of history, broken. As I was sworn in, Mom wept; overcome with joy witnessing me become an elected city official. Proud that she raised a daughter that enveloped what she envisioned.
She sacrificed her entire life to make sure my two sisters and I had a better life. She taught me about work ethic; to always dream big and make decisions so those dreams could come to fruition. She expected three things. 1. Live a life of faith 2. When you get to where you’re going, always care more about others than yourself. 3. Get a college education. Those were life’s non-negotiable.
When I graduated from Drake, I was overlooked for my first job out of college. A white male was selected as the final candidate. But, they required a college degree that he didn’t have. I built up the courage to send a formal letter of complaint. My letter led to an investigation. They had overturned their decision. He stepped down. I got the job I was most qualified for. That experience taught me early on to always speak up for what is right. I experienced discrimination, and was going to have my voice be heard. Accepting no wasn’t an option. I would’ve missed that opportunity by staying silent. I realized life wasn’t going to be as fair because of the color of my skin.
During the campaign, a man said: You’re a colored woman. We don’t elect colored women to be on City Council here in WDM’ It wasn’t comfortable. I called Mom, I told her this was going to be rough. Mom said, ‘Renee, think about your ancestors; those who came before you. You are standing on their shoulders. They died for you; were lynched for you, hosed down for you, spit on for you. Don’t squander that. You don’t get a pity-party. Go knock on 25 more doors because they paved the way for you. You have this privilege to run and have a voice, and one person called you colored? Show him and show your ancestors what you are made of.’ That defining moment propelled me. I kept walking; not caring who said what, or who said no. I walked for the privilege to do what they could not.
I don’t allow anyone to suppress who I am or put me “in a box”. Instead, be who and what you want to be and to never accept “no”.
