Founder of Ebony Horsewomen on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

 UPDATE: Audio of the show can be found here.

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations, leaders, and volunteers who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations, leaders, and volunteers embody "Be the change you want to see in the world."

On Saturday, June 7, 2014, join us to hear the amazing Patricia (Pat) Kelly, Founder of Ebony Horsewomen and Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee. She will share how her love for horses started at a young age after her Jewish neighbor introduced taught her how to care for and eventually ride his horses. Ms. Kelly took her love for horses with her when she joined the USMC during Vietnam. After her tour of duty, she continued to ride horses while pursuing her education and raising a family.

In 1984, Ms. Kelly gathered a few girlfriends to introduce them to horseback riding as a way to share the serenity and peace she found being around horses. What started out as a social organization turned into a movement when Ms. Kelly saw the need to share her love for horses with young people. Listen to her share about the many actives and events that young cowboys and cowgirls enjoy at the Ebony Horsewomen Equestrian and Agriculture Center. Hear Ms. Kelly share fond memories about being a part of the Tournament of Roses parade in 1990 and 1991, the endless summer activities scheduled, the Equine After School Program, Comprehensive Equine Education that promotes S.T.E.M, and Equine Therapy.

Ebony Horsewomen Equestrian and Agricultural Center

Ms. Kelly will also share how the tragic events of Sandy Hook led her to focus more on mental health issues and how her proposed 63 million Equestrian Farm and Training Center will help meet mental health needs of the minority undeserved. Ms. Kelly closes by sharing with us uplifting work of Petal Share, a non-profit organization, founded by Civil Rights Attorney Heather Lawson, her daughter and a future guest on Living Your Best Life Radio.

Living Your Best Life Radio, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life. can be heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, Tune In, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also air on WTST, a member of the HBCU radio network (XM 142).

 More About Patricia Lawson Kelly

Ms. Patrica Kelly

Patricia Kelly is a pioneering horsewoman and a pillar in the Connecticut horse community. Growing up in Hartford, Patricia discovered her love for horses by caring for and eventually learning to ride a neighbor's horse. Patricia never looked back and a life long Black Cowgirl was born. 

Patricia is a Vietnam USMC Veteran. She founded Ebony Horsewomen in 1984 as a cultural and social enrichment organization for women. However in 1987, she noticed the significant negative impact of drugs on her community and particularly youth, so she redirected the organization to address this issue. She secured her non-profit status and changed Ebony Horsewomen’s mission to include helping inner city youth.

Without any outside assistance, she purchased four horses and began teaching women and youth how to ride. Patricia worked over the years to showcase her riders in parades and other events to celebrate and preserve the history of Black horseman and women. Patricia developed her innovative "Horse Sense" program that brought horses, educators and doctors into Hartford’s poorest inner city schools and communities. The program taught self-esteem, academic excellence, and abstinence from drugs and alcohol. The Horse Sense program won numerous civic and community awards.

Today, Ebony Horsewomen Inc. operates as a full time non-profit youth development and equestrian center with over $500,000 in community support. The organization serves over 470 youth throughout Connecticut annually.

Patricia is currently developing a $63 million dollar Horse Park and Exhibition Center in Connecticut.

Photo Credits: Ebony Horsewomen