LOVE. A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person motherly/maternal love or fatherly/paternal love (Webster-Merriam).
This week as we celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., I want to share with you another legacy. You might and might not know her. Her name was Ms. Geraldine Briscoe. I say was, because she died in 2008 in Salina, KS at 88 years old. A place she called home just like I still do even though I live far away from it now.
She wasn't a celebrity like MLK, but that didn't matter to her as she embraced the philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr. In a tribute to her in the local paper they stated her "claim to fame" was that she was the Founder of Martin Luther King Jr. Child Care Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Child and Adult Food Program, Salina nonprofits that serve families with below-poverty incomes.
I met this wonderful woman leader when I was a little girl. She was friends with my parents and we all lived in the north end of Salina together. At 13 years old, I helped clean the building that was going to be a child care center for low-income children and she called it the Martin Luther King, Jr. Child Care Center.
At 40 years old, I managed the building project that was going to be the new child development center called the Martin Luther King Jr. Child Development Center. It increased services to low-income families by 30% from the old building. It was Ms. Briscoe's encouragement that lead me to this job when switching careers after 15 years at another organization. I was the new Executive Director. #encourager
For six years, I visited her every week at her office at the food program. I sat and talked for hours about her vision, goals, and LOVE for what she did well into her 80s. I dropped off things to her modest house in north Salina and ate ice cream with her. I attended every community meeting she told me to and met every connection she had in the community. #connector #influencer
Sometimes we prayed together for issues the center was facing especially funding. #godlywoman
One day I even received a kiss from her. #love
She was so excited to receive the business cards I made for her as she never had any before. I printed them on my computer and hand delivered with pride to her office. In her jubilation, she grabbed my face and kissed me on my lips. Taken back by her quickness and this symbol of gratitude, all I could think was it was like kissing my grandma. I now had a black grandma whom I adored as much as my biological one. #admiration #respect
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."
You see Ms. Briscoe enveloped many of the philosophies of Martin Luther King, Jr. The difference for me is that I saw hers lived out in person. Through her work life, godly mannerisms, and strong voice for equality and against racism. #communityimpact #justice
I was unable to attend her funeral, but from what I hear it was a glorious homecoming for a wonderful servant of God. #servantleader
Her smile was infectious and her laughter was loud. This photo is my favorite of her as it implies joy (credit: Salina Journal). Not without its struggles or heart aches, but the everlasting, spiritual joy of her soul. #joy
So, what is your love language? Is it words or actions? Is it for self or others? Is it temporal or everlasting?
I know my wonderful mentor and friend and grandmother would say love not hate, serve not be served, and believe in the one who created us. #beliefs #corevalues
I honor her memory and revere her mentorship #leadershipdevelopment
What She Said - Beverly
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