In February here in the U.S. we celebrate Black History Month. We celebrate the resilience, accomplishments and beauty of black Americans. Hallie Quinn Brown is someone I only recently learned of. She is the first black Speech-Language Pathologist in our field and there is no one better I wanted to spotlight for the Coffeehouse SLP February newsletter.
As we think about those who've paved the way and are examples for us to look up to, we may think of parents, teachers and professors, our personal mentors, and activists for change. I'm constantly looking at the qualities of those who do great things. What was the motivation behind their work? What made them believe they could do the work? What were their priorities and daily habits that got them to such levels of success? If we want to be great in our respective lives, it only makes sense that we study the behaviors of those who have already done it. Each of us has what it takes to do our own unique "great thing" and be examples to others. Remember, we are not here today because of people who sat on their ideas and passions. .
My SLP Inspirations
I'm inspired by Hallie Quinn Brown for being a change agent and breaking barriers!
I'm inspired by Dr. Sandra C. Holley-Carter, the first black ASHA president in 1988 and first black to be elected to the Executive Board as VP for Administration in 1982, for providing representation of blacks in leadership within our field.
I'm inspired by my college mentor and professor who was the only black staff in our department for showing me daily representation in academia.
I'm inspired by NBASLH (National Black Association for Speech Language and Hearing) for dedicating an organization to committing to to see that "the needs of black professionals, students and individuals with communication disorders can be met."
