Exceptional People Magazine – Top Influential Women
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Profession: First Lady of the United States Location: Washington, D.C.—Website: www.whitehouse.gov
First Lady Michelle Obama is a leader with a foundation built upon hard work, commitment and compassion. Mrs. Obama is inspiring change and a desire for success in women around the world. However, behind every success story are tests of unwavering faith and endurance.
It is not enough to desire change, believe in it or just speak about it, you must be a participant. Her interaction with various organizations, families and youth is an excellent example of what it means to become involved and to help transform lives.
Volunteerism; it is the backbone of our society. Without it we wouldn’t survive as a nation. Mrs. Obama realized her life’s purpose was to be an agent of change and a servant of the people. She has inspired thousands to use their God-given talents, skills and abilities to serve others.
Extraordinary Profiles
Profession: Reverend, Actress, Singer
Location: Los Angeles, CA—Website: www.upchurch.org
“Success to me is prosperity, and prosperity is not necessarily just the money. If you can’t sleep and you have $12 million, you’re not prosperous. If you have no peace of mind, and you have all the money in the world, you are not prosperous. Prosperity is a part of love, joy, peace, understanding and wisdom and the ability to be who you are. So it’s not just what you accomplish. Success to me is who you are.”
Della Reese set an amazing precedent in the entertainment world for Black women and for all women who want to pursue careers in the entertainment field. Her success as an actress, singer and television personality can be attributed to what she learned from her parents, her mentor Mahalia Jackson, and others in the industry. Her versatility appeals to audiences from all backgrounds. Reese was the first female to guest host The Tonight Show and to host her own talk show, another first for a Black woman during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Remaining close to her gospel roots kept her grounded as she built a legendary career based on faith and hard work, while blazing a path for others to follow.
Profession: Arts, Humanitarian
Location: Los Angeles, CA—Website: www.contra-tiempo.org
Fusing dance with culture, politics and life, Founder of Contra Tiempo, Ana Maria Alvarez has inspired young people from all ethnic backgrounds to realize that though the world is filled with people of diverse ethnicities, we can work together to achieve a common goal. Alvarez has created a platform for young people and adults alike to engage in communication through dance rather than violence.
Contra Tiempo has allowed young men and women to capture the attention of audiences around the world with a blend of Salsa, West African, Afro-Cuban and Hip-Hop beats, while addressing race, gender and inequalities among the human race.
Her victories have overshadowed her incredible trials. From a homeless mother of four to the Mayor of Riverdale, Georgia, Dr. Evelyn Wynn-Dixon has lived through many seasons of adversity, but in the end she has triumphed over them all.
Her life experiences have empowered her to lead the city of Riverdale with confidence and with an inner strength that comes from one whose experiences have taught her that perseverance, unwavering courage and consistent action yield great results.
As Mayor, Dr. Wynn-Dixon has remarkably changed the physical landscape of her city as well as the mindset of its people, giving them a new outlook on life. Through her unique leadership style she has implemented extraordinary educational and youth programs, improved the environment and dramatically increased business and economic development. Now serving her second term, Dr. Wynn-Dixon continues to be a visionary for the people of Riverdale.
A champion in her own right, Ernestine Shepherd has shocked the world with her resilience and determination to become a bodybuilder. At age 75, Shepherd is showing the world that fitness can be achieved at any age. She earned the Guinness Book of World Records title as the oldest female bodybuilder at age 73.
Shepherd, who picked up her first barbell at the age of 56, is now inspiring young women and helping older women to get into shape and live healthy lifestyles. She is a trainer as well as a bodybuilder, and she has successfully competed with women half her age.
Her determination, dedication and discipline to live well are motivating women around the world to focus on changing their lifestyles so that they can become healthy and fit.
Extraordinary Profiles
Profession: Special Education
Location: Culver City, CA—Website: www.ecf.net
Barbara Cull has dedicated her life to helping children and adults challenged by learning disabilities, developmental delays, emotional challenges and chronic medical problems to become successful and productive citizens. For over 35 years as the Founder and Director of the Kayne-ERAS Center, Cull has been determined to affect positive change in these precious souls.
She has received recognition both locally in the Culver City, California, area and nationally. Her accomplishments have been noted at the White House and by federal, state and local governments. She is known as an innovative leader in special education. She has developed a best-practices educational model that has received national and international commendation for its ability to be replicated in other communities.
Bev Smith, she’s the bold, tenacious diva who has taken on issues that many others have often been afraid to confront. As a television and radio host, Smith’s golden voice was heard across America for decades. She has blazed a trail in broadcasting that will not be forgotten.
Her platforms gave her the ability to address issues such as homelessness, AIDS and illiteracy within the African American community. Her passion and dedication to educating the public is second to none. Smith has received nearly 300 awards for her contributions in radio and television. Her level of dedication to educating humanity about important issues sets her apart from most others.
After a long and successful career in television and radio, Smith continues to educate the public on issues relating to African Americans. She is currently traveling across the country, speaking to diverse audiences.
Extraordinary Profiles
Because of her concern for the growing gang activity and low educational attainment of children in her neighborhood, in 1990 Rose Espinoza founded Rosie’s Garage, a non-profit organization and a nationally recognized after-school tutoring program in her La Habra, California, community.
Espinoza has been committed to uplifting and educating her community for over twenty years. The organization focuses on improving grade averages among students, improving the attitude of students concerning education and themselves, involving parents in their children’s education and building a sense of community to help decrease crime and gang activity in the local neighborhoods. Her program has earned national recognition, including the President’s Points of Light Volunteer Award.
“My greatest reward is knowing they are changing their view of life and learning that there’s more to life than gangs and hanging on the streets.”
Extraordinary Profiles
Profession: Economist, College President
Location: Greensboro, NC—Website: www.bennett.edu
An extraordinary intellectual, economist and well-noted author, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, has the uncanny ability to enlighten audiences about important issues from perspectives that others never realized. Her unique approach to subjects that focus on how we live and flourish within our economy has brought her recognition as a remarkable individual. Dr. Malveaux has shared her knowledge and insights about the economy and issues affecting women and the human race as a whole with countless audiences on major television networks.
As President of Bennett College for Women, Dr. Malveaux continues to impact women's lives on an economic level, as well as personal and professional levels. She has made significant contributions to the lives of the young women who attend the college and are seeking to become tomorrow’s leaders and world contributors.
Extraordinary Profiles
Profession: Community Development Location: Andrews, NC—Website: http://odwc.org
Over 14 years ago twenty-two African-American women who believed in change and the ability to make an impact in their community came together to discuss the conditions surrounding AfricanAmerican youths and adults in their local communities.
As a result, Ann Woodford, one of the twenty-two women, founded and became the Executive Director of One Dozen Who Care. The idea was to form a group that possessed corporate leadership skills that would impact not only African-Americans but everyone in the community, by building strong community ties and enabling communities to become self-sufficient. One Dozen Who Care was the first African American women-led group to create programs to strengthen the community of Western North Carolina. Woodford has built a foundation that has enabled the community to continue to thrive and create better futures for the next generation.
Her philosophy: “If you take time to lift people up, there will be no time left to put people down.”
Hoop Dreams Scholarship Foundation Founder Susie Kay has formed an ongoing partnership between community, businesses and students in the Washington, D.C. area. Over the past 15 years to many students what once seemed like a faded dream of attending college has become a reality. Since its inception in 1996, the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund has helped send more than 920 Washington, D.C. public high school students to college and has awarded over 1,600 college scholarships, totaling more than $3 million dollars.
The organization also focuses on pairing students and mentors from local businesses within the community, stressing the importance of giving back, engaging young people in volunteer work and prepping students for SAT tests. To date, the organization has paired more than 800 students and mentors, engaged more than 1,000 volunteers in community work and helped more than 400 students prepare for SAT exams.
“My calling is to transform shelters into beautiful sanctuaries, uplift the human spirit and empower individuals from all walks of life to pursue their dreams."
Sometimes change begins on the outside. Oftentimes, when your physical surroundings are altered, you become inspired to make changes from within. You begin to look beyond your current circumstances and envision new opportunities and dream bigger dreams. Your attitude and outlook on life are renewed.
That is the impact that Terry Grahl’s vision has had on women and families living in shelters. The people whose lives she has impacted through Enchanted Makeovers have gained a new sense of purpose, assumed new attitudes and see a brighter future for themselves. They are taking steps to overcome their circumstances.
Thank you...Founder, Monica Davis
Just as one drop of water can create waves far and Just as one drop of water can create waves far and Just as one water can create far wide, you too have the power to create a ripple effect wide, you too have the power to create a ripple effect too have to create of love, kindness and generosity in your community of love, kindness and generosity in your community of love, kindness and generosity in your community and around the world. and around the world. around the world.
