International Women's Day

​Today is International Women's Day. Here is a photo of three generations of members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. My grandmother was ecstatic that all of us were legacy members. I come from a lineage of very strong and successful women.
My sister Sheila is a NAFTA Regional Marketing Mgr and Food Scientist for a International company, she's is making a global impact on our worlds food supply.
My grandmother Hazel Horn was a pioneer in the Oklahoma City School Systems, her legacy as an educator and school principal lives on. She taught thousands of disadvantaged children. She was in the first group of African American women to be accepted into and receive a MA degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma.
I was a pioneer in the government contracting arena as the youngest woman minority owned business owner, Founder and CEO of AMA technologies, Inc. where we specialized in software development, training and networking.
As an military officer's wife my mother was a extraordinary gatherer of people and entertainer. While living in Germany in the 70's she made a great impact on cultivating relationships with the German Business community and the American Military community. Later she was Vice President and co founder with my father of Automation Research Systems, Limited, a global company in the high-tech arena of the 80's and 90's. She was glue that held the company together.
My grandmother and mother had to fight prejudice and discrimination along the way. Because of the color of their skin, their weight, size and their very high intellect. They taught my sisters and I to handle these road blocks with grace and dignity. My sister and I have both experienced a different type of subtle discrimination in the workplace, mostly from being young and successful women, not necessarily because of our skin color.
Today we celebrate women all over the globe and their power and achievements. Let's make this world a better place for our daughters and grandchildren.

​These two young women are our future. They are both third generation progeny of successful women in business, finance and education. This week they present their final business marketing plan at the North Carolina DECA young leaders and entrepreneurs conference. They will be going off to different colleges in the fall to forge new paths, friendships and experiences. Wish them well and let's hope that we have created a world where smart, articulate and ambitious young women can continue to thrive and succeed.

​I'm very proud of my oldest daughter! When she graduated from college she had to forge her career path on her own with no family support, help or contacts. She had the burden all on her own to achieve career success. Her father and grandparents had passed over and I was extremely ill. There were no calls to friends for job offers and support. She made it through by hard work, determination and a strong foundation of love and example from her lineage.
Today at the age of 30 she's made a name for herself in her business arena. She's embarking on a new path and moving to North Carolina. I wish her well and know that she's guided by a large band of Angels from above.