RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia is planning to unveil and dedicate the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial on the grounds of the state Capitol later this month.

Officials say the events will take place July 20 and 21.

The memorial honors Robert Russa Moton High School student Barbara Johns and her fellow classmates. In April 1951, she and her classmates participated in a walkout to protest the conditions of their segregated school in Prince Edward County.

Governor Tim Kaine says the students led the charge to create a more just and equitable educational system.

The court case eventually joined with four other cases to become the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case of Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.

Interesting story. The whole integration of Moton High, Civil Rights, and Barbara Johns…and how this memorial came to be.

It’s been said that, as she was walking around what was to be her new home, the young daughter of then-Governor Mark Warner took in all the statues (6) and noted that none were of women…or from the Civil Rights era. She then asked her mother, “Where’s Rosa Parks?”.

Out of the mouth of babes indeed.

Whew! I’m home. Unwinding. Trying to calm down after tonight’s event. I recorded it - just finished listening to myself. (To the brother who tells me consistently that he loves my voice, that it sounds exotic to him I say this: “THANK YOU!!” I don’t get it but BayBee…as long as YOU like it, I love it. LOL)

Ok, months ago (MONTHS), a friend of mine asked me if I would speak to her ABWA chapter (American Business Women’s Association). The topic had to be business-related so I would speak around how I published my book. Cool. Oh, and it was their 37th anniversary. No problem.

Well, we got closer and closer to the date and I was dragging my feet about a topic, an outline, a bio, a picture….you know - all the PERTINENT information. (Ok, I procrastinate by nature however, there is something else going on that I need to get a handle on and it is showing up in every facet of my life. I’m hoping that now that this event is behind me & D is squared away college-wise I can deal with it). We finally settle on a topic which Ms. Thing *suggests* becomes something else. No problem. I’m flexible.

Wellllll…..Ms. Thing THEN tells me that there’s an article in the local paper about the event & me being the keynote speaker. *Gulp* Um….er…. *faint*

That’s what had me nervous earlier today — news coverage. And not knowing if my little talk was truly on point. And Ms. Thing was NOT buying the “laryngitis story”. LOL

I make my way over to the event and as I’m speaking with the lady at the table outside the room, I happen to catch a glimpse of some folks sitting front & center. Four of my friends. Ms. Thing invited them. I had no idea they were going to be there. LOL Talk about your jaw dropping open.

We have dinner and general chitchat amongst ourselves and then yours truly takes the podium. I have 30 minutes to share with the group, to inspire them.

My topic: “Live Out Loud - On Purpose”.

Ohmigosh. Ya’ll know what I just did????? Yes - I DELETED THE DARN RECORDING!!!! ARRRGGGHHH!!

Lawd! Not even the book sales from this evening can take the sting out of THAT mistake. *Sigh* Let me go see if there’s a way to recover or restore it.

At any rate, my topic seemed to have been well-received. It was a beautiful celebration of 37 years of doing what they do best - empower, educate, enlighten.

Guess it’s time for me to do the bubblebath thing and then head to bed.

Ciao!

Live DELICIOUSLY!!
*~* MsJayy *~*

Much as I love butterflies, I would pay good money NOT to have them floating around in the pit of my tummy right about now!! LOL

Send positive vibes! I’m off to a speaking engagement & I’m “noirvous” as hell!

My parting prayer: “Jesus be a fence, a clear voice, and a COHERENT speech. Um, book sales would be lovely too.” LOL

Updates later….

Note to self: BREATHE!!