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Issue: 860 Date: 2/15/2007
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A Leader, A Mentor, A Mother to All - Harriett Woods 1927 - 2007
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By Representative Maria Chappelle-Nadal
In an ideal world everyone would have a mentor-someone who has the knowledge to lead others in the right direction, someone who genuinely cares about your life choices and hopes to see your leadership contribute to the lives of others.
Harriett Woods was that person to many women. However, it was not over night that she became a legend. Over the course of her life, Harriett worked hard, was an inspiration to many, and was a great example to all.
My mother, Cecilia Nadal, refers to Harriett as a member of a dynamic trio of legendary women, which includes DeVerne Lee Calloway of St. Louis City (the first African American State Representative in Missouri) and Sue Shear of Clayton. They all served in the Missouri General Assembly together. As a young social worker, my mother faced a difficult situation while helping clients who lived in a halfway house. Her job was threatened by the halfway house director. DeVerne was called in to mediate. Soon after, Harriett also stepped in on my mother's behalf. My mother, an ordinary social worker who wanted to do what was right, was assisted by this awesome trio of women who understood that all women should be united when faced with doing the right thing.
My mother says that if it were not for Harriett and DeVerne, she would not truly understand the power of what it means to have women serving in key roles in the legislature and looking out for other women in the workplace. At one point, it was suggested that my mother run for elected office. However, for my mother, realizing those hopes was too difficult as a young single parent.
I first met Harriett shortly after I graduated from college. Since my mom spoke of Harriett so regularly when I was a child, it was only fitting to send a letter to my most famous neighbor. In my letter to Harriett, I told her of my interest in getting involved in politics. Nearly two weeks later I received an invitation to a group called Women in the Neighborhood. It was there that I learned the gift of gab and what it means to take action and be involved.
On September 17, 2001, Harriett sent me an email saying "Stick with me and you'll never have a free moment!" Well, I did stick with her and even today I still don't have a free moment.
When I decided to run for office, Harriett served as my teacher every step of the way noting what I should say, where I should go and the important people I should call. And she took it upon herself to (figuratively) hold my hand for a very long time. In all these years I have not erased a single email from Harriett. Her words were always valuable in some way and I referenced them often.
Harriett tried her best to teach me everything she knew. Her trademark impression for this young politico was strength, sense of self and working to defy all odds. She was able to see straight through to a person's heart for the better or worse. She was able to see through the rhetoric and get straight to the point, not wanting to waste a moment. She always stressed the importance of being effective.
Shortly after getting elected in 2004 she sent me an email advising, "you can be a watchdog on some issues that are important to you and your district. You might even develop authority or expertise in some very specific topic. With me, it was [the] circuit breaker. Democrats had the majority in my day, but urban liberals were a minority within the majority and it was tough going. But I was always able to succeed on votes regarding seniors because no one really understood [the] circuit-breaker and they figured that I did."
Perhaps the most important lesson from Harriett was to stay busy, working to make a difference. My mother always says, "If you are busy rowing the boat, there's no time to rock the boat." Harriett would expand that thought with her view that it's okay to rock the boat if it made someone's life better.
In an email shortly before she was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2006, Harriett wrote of how she continued to rock the boat:
"I arrive Feb. 23 and depart Feb. 28, and have the usual mix of obligations: a Wash U panel the 27th, the Shelley reception Sunday, doctor, haircut, tax accountant, and three family dinners, but always have time for you. You are doing a great job of communicating, particularly on the education issue…Even office hours! wow. I'm having a great time here. So much going on, and of course still getting calls for help from St. Louis. It doesn't do any good to leave town. I'll be back again for a few days late March, but have committed to a conference in Oklahoma City for a couple of days.
best, Harriett"
A mentor always commends her students. On Dec. 29, 2006, Harriett wrote me concerning the Whitmore-Smith appointment saying, "You should feel proud that you built up such pressure on the appointment decision. You won and that is what was important."
The Mother
Harriett was most happy when she spoke about her family. Her eyes lit up when she spoke about her new daughter in-law from Japan. While showing me a picture of the new addition, she said, "Now I have a family member from a different part of the world and a grandchild on the way." She was so excited about the diversity within her own family. But, Harriett remained anxious about getting one of her granddaughters involved in someone's political affairs. There was a special bond that Harriett had with her beautiful grandchildren that one could feel through the tone of her voice. They provided her so much joy in their youth and as they grew older and older. In my mind, I think she wanted to make sure there was a place for them to feel comfortable and become strong leaders themselves. Harriett was an adoring and doting grandmother.
The Message Harriett wanted to Send
In our discussions, we'd often talk about the state and national party and the changes we'd like to see happen. Harriett and I really bonded, in part, because she and I agreed on the same, sometimes radical and contentious, topics. If Harriett were to send a message to existing leaders it would be one of inclusiveness of all people, regardless of age, race or gender. This means our women's groups, state parties, and neighborhood organizations. Harriett would appeal to us to embrace a philosophy and lifestyle of genuine diversity including where we eat, talk, and live and to work together toward a common goal. We should bring young people into the fold as much as possible because they are our future.
Harriett Freidman Woods was my teacher, my political mentor and nothing less than a superbly remarkable yet always humble woman. She never gave up on her most trying and final student.
To my mentor: As your spirit circles the universe remember one thing--Give'm Hell, Harriett! We would not expect anything different. |
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