Women: In Charge, On Fire, and Change Agents

April 2013 Issue of Mocha Market featuring Women: In Charge, On Fire, and Change Agents

 The Nashville-Middle Tennessee Region has been a case study for attracting major businesses from around the globe to our area. Fortune 500 corporations like Firestone, LP, Oreck, and Nissan are headed quartered in the area. It is without a doubt, the economic impact and philanthropic giving of each company individually impacts millions of lives and communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

With corporate brands that are known by millions worldwide, it could be easy to overlook individuals who are impactful in their own right with their leadership abilities, community engagement, and global outreach that challenge, advisor, and nurture the next generations of leaders. Like Oreck, Nashville is home to local business women who own family businesses that span several generations. Like, Firestone, Nashville has women who began their career paths, locally, prior to becoming nationally respected advisors to leaders who are the global stage. And like Nissan, Nashville has attracted women who are recognized around the world who share international perspectives and practices that help make our world a better place to live.

 Like LP, let me introduce you to three women who believe in building solid community foundations. They are in charge of their own destinies in life, on fire for humanity, and change agents that have positively impacted countless lives in their community, around the nation, and internationally.

Shirin Ebadi: 2003 Nobel Laureate and International Peace Keeper

“It’s not just about hope and ideas. It’s about action.”

 

Shirin Ebadi, J.D., was awarded the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote human rights, in particular, the rights of women, children, and political prisoners in Iran. She is the first Muslim woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and only the fifth Muslim to receive a Nobel Prize in any field.

Dr. Ebadi was one of the first female judges in Iran. She served as president of the city court of Tehran from 1975 to 1979 and was the first Iranian woman to achieve Chief Justice status. She, along with other women judges, was dismissed from that position after the Islamic Revolution in February 1979. She was made a clerk in the court she had once presided over, until she petitioned for early retirement. After obtaining her lawyer's license in 1992, Dr. Ebadi set up private practice. As a lawyer, Dr. Ebadi has taken on many controversial cases defending political dissidents and as a result has been arrested numerous times.

In addition to being an internationally-recognized advocate of human rights, she has also established many non-governmental organizations in Iran, including the Million Signatures Campaign, a campaign demanding an end to legal discrimination against women in Iranian law.

 Dr. Ebadi is also a university professor and often students from outside Iran take part in her human rights training courses. She has published over 70 articles and 13 books dedicated to various aspects of human rights, some of which have been published by UNICEF.  In 2004, she was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world.*

Exploring issues of peace, violence, social justice and oppression, around 250 Mid-South middle and high school students and Belmont student mentors gathered at Belmont University for Nashville’s first ever PeaceJam in a new joint initiative of Belmont University and Students Taking A Right Stand (STARS) which paired youth and college students with a Nobel Peace Laureate, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, for community service projects and a “global cause to action” for their own communities and schools.

Traci Obey Blunt:  National Advisor to Presidential Contender and Business Tycoon

“All that you desire in your personal and professional life may not come today or all at once, but I am a true believer that perseverance and hard work will always pay off.”

Traci Otey Blunt, a veteran media, political and public affairs specialist, is Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. In this role, she is responsible for media strategy and communications, government relations and public affairs activities on behalf of The RLJ Companies. Traci, who recently served as a Deputy Communications Director for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, has more than 15 years of experience leading public relations and public affairs efforts for corporate, local, state and federal governments, as well as non-profit organizations.

Traci has experience in the fast-paced world of politics and government, having served as a media specialist on Capitol Hill, with the District of Columbia government, and in mayoral, state legislative, gubernatorial and presidential campaigns.

Prior to joining the Clinton campaign, Traci served as a Vice President and Deputy Director for the multicultural practice at Ogilvy Public Relations in Washington, DC. As Deputy Director for the agency’s multicultural communications, Traci provided the day-to-day management and oversight of several high-profile accounts and public affairs campaigns, including the African American Medicare Prescription Drug Campaign for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Readiness Initiative and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.

As the Director of Communications for the District of Columbia’s Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in 2002, Traci was responsible for planning economic development-related events, as well as leading all communications efforts related to development in the city. She also served as Press Secretary for the 2002 reelection campaign for Mayor Anthony Williams. In 2000, Traci served as the Communications Director for the Tennessee coordinated Gore/Lieberman campaign. She also served as a Communications Specialist at the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) and worked in the United States Senate.

Traci is a 1990 graduate of Tennessee State University where she received her degree, cum laude, in Criminal Justice. She currently serves on the following boards: the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBCLEO) Foundation; the College of Public Service and Urban Affairs Board of Advisors at Tennessee State University; and Malaria No More, a non-profit dedicated to ending malaria deaths and provides life-saving tools and education to families across Africa.

Hortense Price-Jones:  Community Leader and Business Mentor 

“I believe in treating everyone fairly and with dignity. What you put out there comes back…always.”

Hortense Price-Jones is originally from Jackson, Tenn., where she attended public schools. She graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. Her business career began when she opened the College Crib Sports Shop devoted to Men’s and Women’s Apparel. The growing demand for customized designs led her to change the College Crib’s focus to Greek paraphernalia and other merchandise, and she has owned and operated College Crib for over 45 years. 

Throughout Price-Jones’ career in business, she has chosen to employ students from Fisk and Tennessee State Universities, thus serving as a role model and mentor. She has also worked to strengthen the community by establishing a network among businesses in the Jefferson Street area.

 Price-Jones has been featured in the Tennessean, Nashville Banner, Tennessee Tribune, Contempora Magazine, and Impressions, a national magazine for imprinted sportswear and screen printing.

Price-Jones has served her community in several capacities. She is a former member of  Metropolitan Government Nashville and Davidson County; Advisory Purchasing Committee. She is a member of Legacy Board of the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership, Inc., and a Lifetime Member of the NAACP. As an advocate for women, she is a member of the Hendersonville Area Chapter of The Links, Inc. and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.

At various points, Price-Jones has served on the board of governors of the Nashville Area Chamber Commerce (2003-2008); the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce (2002-2004); the board of directors, Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership, Inc. (1995-Present); and board of directors, Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce (1998-2003).

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2013: A New Year New Word

Each year, millions, with the best intentions, promise to make the New Year “the best year yet”. Resolutions are confidently written down without plans to make them work. Losing weight, saving more money, or starting a new business are all resolutions made and usually discarded before the New Year has turned a week old. After a rousing chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” has been sung, reality hits many that resolutions from last year are being recycled without accomplishing any of the goals listed.

Several years ago, I stopped making resolutions of things I wanted to do in the New Year. My lists of lists were out. I began focusing on a word to define what I wanted to achieve in life instead of lists of resolutions. In 2008, because of the election, the words hope and change were everywhere. Our country was feeling hopeless and many were begging for leadership that would inspire them to change. I had bought hope and change letters and plastered them all over my office wall. I was hoping for big changes in my life. The elections of 2008 did change how our country was defined around the world. Many Americans never thought they would be alive to see the historic day. 2008 changed my how I defined what I wanted in life and what I wanted from my life.  I began to be focused and intentional in every area of my life.  

In 2009, my word choice that year was pray. I was on bended knees daily. Because of my prayer life, I saw the word pray everywhere I turned. I saw the word on bumper stickers, on billboards, on tee shirts, and key rings. One day, I saw the word on a hot air balloon floating over park. At that point, I realized what I focused on in life, was where I put my energy. My energy output determined what I got out of life. If I wanted positive outcomes, I had to focus on them. Intentionally.  Choosing a word as my focus vs. writing down a list of ‘wants’, was beginning to make sense to me. I went to God in prayer morning, noon, and night determined that my resolutions I sought would come through HIM.

When I read through my journals from 2009, the outcome of my year of prayers was not a “fixed” person but a woman who had become more discerning in life and who grown into a prayer warrior. There were changes in my life but the biggest change was how I defined my prayer life. Amen.

Because of the previous year, my word choice in 2010 was family. That year, the health of my grandmother, mother, and father took drastic turns. My children also threw me a few curve balls along the way. With the word family boldly nailed to my wall, my family was my focus, mentally and physically. I made no apologies to anyone. I was not just praying daily but I was in a constant state of movement from one family situation to another. 2010 seemed as if crisis was the word I chose. By the time 2010 ended, I knew the importance of having frank conversations with family members about their wishes if they are unable to take care of themselves without hemming and hawing. I also shared my wishes as well. Years before, I would have considered those conversations off limits but now I call it being responsible. When you know better, you do better. 

2010 was a year of putting out family fires. In 2011, I sought peace. Mind, body, and spirit. I wanted nothing to do with drama; personally, socially, or professionally. I did not avoid conflicts but I did not embrace them either. I had one Christmas tree that year. All of the ornaments had the word peace on them. In 2011, I said the word peace every day. The more I said the word, the more God showed me contention that needed to be addressed. Ask and it shall be given, right? I took an inventory of people in my life, including family, and looked at my extracurricular activities, and drew boundaries. If my activities were not necessary for my survival and were not meeting real needs by serving others, those activities were curtailed or cutoff all together. Almost instantly, peace in abundance came to me as I put my time and energy into doing things that were truly benefiting others and gave me a sense of purpose. The more I looked for peace, the more I saw my personal goals come together. As I cut out strife and confusion, the more opportunities were revealed to me. Being focused allowed me not to allow distractions to block a blessing. In the summer of 2011, I began producing, Living Your Best Life radio show. I was given more than I ever hoped or imagined. 

In December of 2011, a friend and book club member, Catherine Ramsey, wanted to give books for Christmas gifts to a Girl Scout Troop. Being avid book readers, the club embraced her idea and set about planning a party for the Troop. I dressed as my favorite character, Ms. Santa, I read to the Girl Scouts. Catherine asking me to read to the girls led me to choose the word read to focus on 2012.

 In 2012, I began reading at elementary schools regularly and visiting a nursing home monthly.  No matter how packed my schedule was, nothing interfered with me sharing adventures from a book with my special friends. Visiting my favorite schools and nursing home was me being intentional with my volunteer time. I took my time with them seriously and so did my special friends that I was reading too.

Most of 2012 seemed to involve reading books in one aspect or another. From being in a book club with women I have grown to respect and admire greatly; to numerous authors as guests on Living Your Best Life; to attending book signings around the country; to traveling with the First Lady of TN, Crissy Haslam, as she promoted her reading and early education initiatives; to being asked to co-author a book series with Milestone Publishing that feature co-authors, George Foreman and George C. Fraser; to close friends opening a book store, Eastside Story; my personal passion for reading books had taken on a life of its own. I read every genre too; faith, children, mystery, art, history, how-to, fix-me, fix-him. You name the subject, I read it. I was not reading to read, I was reading because I actually love reading. My focus on books took me from reading to others to being read by others. Milestone Publishing asked me to write several more books. I was also given the green light to produce two more radio shows for XM Radio. God is good!

Now, I am seasoned with better understanding about my word I focus on each year.  I have learned that when I chose a word, my word choice petitions an action from me.  The word pray meant praying prayers.  The word hope meant believing change would happen. As I look back at how each word brought transformation in my life, I realize how each year prepared me for the next chapter of my life. Each year, some more excruciating than others, was in deed my best year.

This year, 2013, the word give speaks loudly to me. Several phrases kept repeating themselves over and over; “Give abundantly;” “Givers gain;” “Giving and Living;” and “Too much is given, much is required;” “Never give up.” “Forgive as you have been forgiven”. "Living and Giving".

I do not know what is in store for me but I love the foundation that each word has given me to face the challenges and the excitement of a New Year. Will you join me on my journey? Chose a word and embrace it in 2013.

 An edited version of this story was first published in the Jan/Feb Issue of Mocha Market Magazine.

USMC Vietnam Veteran Bert Watkins on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

 Update: Audio of Bert Watkins' Interview can be found here.
                Photos from Living Your Best Life can be found on Facebook



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

On Saturday, November 10, 2012 join us as we celebrate the United States Marine Corps 237th Birthday and show honor to our veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Tune in as we honor the patriotism, service, and sacrifice of men and women who have serve in our armed forces around the world. Listen as we hear from Marine Veteran Bert Watkins who fought in the Operation Swift during the Vietnam War. Hear his first hand account of one of the most hard fought battles during the war. He will also share why the importance of supporting our veterans and active duty military. He will give sage advice to current military families and to the growing Veteran community as he share from chapters of his decorated career.

Living Your Best Life, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life, is heard on 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, the Inspirational Network, military bases and live streamed at Ustream.TV from 9-10AM CST.

More about Bert Watkins

Master Sargent Bert N. Watkins ⁽USMC RET.)

During his career^, he served at Camp Lejeune and Viet Nam. After his active tour of duty, he joined the Marine Corps Reserves where he retired from in 1992. During his militray career, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal w/v; the purple Heart' Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, President Unit Citation, Viet Nam Service Medal with 2 Stars, and the Viet Nam Campaign Medal w/Device. He is the married to Edwina Watkins and the father of four children. He is serves as an Elder at Living Word Church in Goodlettsville, TN. Tim and Sonyo Slaton are the Pastors.

Operation Swift: September 4-15, 1967

Operation Swift was a military operation that took place in the Vietnam War. The mission, involving forces of the 1st Marine Division, was carried out to rescue two Marine companies which had been previously ambushed by the North Vietnamese Army. Launched on September 4, 1967 the ensuing battles killed 127 Americans and an estimated 600 North Vietnamese. Despite their withdrawal after having suffered much higher losses, the NVA had accomplished their objective of inflicting remarkable American casualties.

Sweep operations were then initiated to shield the local populace from intimidation during upcoming elections. Operation Swift, intended to be the fourth and the last of the 1967 operations in the Que Son Valley, began unofficially the morning of September 4 when Delta Company, 1st Battalion 5th Marines (1/5) was attacked before dawn by a superior PAVN force while setup in a night-time defensive perimeter next to the village of Dong Son.

The local Battalion Commander was Lt.Colonel Peter Hilgartener who sent 1/5's Bravo Company to Delta’s relief, which was all he had at the time. With Bravo and Delta companies heavily engaged, Mike and Kilo companies from the adjacent 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5) were sent to relieve them. Ambushed and aggressively attacked, these two companies were also pinned down in separate enclaves by the early afternoon. During the fighting Sergeant Lawrence Peters earned a posthumous Medal of Honor for leading his men in repulsing repeated attempts to overrun his position. Navy Chaplain Lieutenant Vincent Capodanno was also awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor for his efforts in pulling wounded men to safety in face of overwhelming enemy fire. Sergeant Thomas C. Panian was also awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism for organizing the defense of India Company, 3 Bn/5 Marines; and holding off subsequent attacks over 8 hours of combat.
Marine artillery fire and Marine jet fighter-bombers prevented the Marine infantry companies from being overrun. A Marine A-6 silenced an anti-aircraft gun emplacement, allowing more air support against PAVN positions, and a fresh Marine company launched a dawn counterattack September 5. This pressed the PAVN into breaking contact. With all engaged companies now relieved Colonel Stanley Davis, commanding the 5th Marines, ordered 1/5 and 3/5 to pursue the withdrawing PAVN. This officially began Operation Swift.

In the early afternoon of September 6 two battalions of the NLF 1st Regiment attacked Bravo company, the lead company of the 1st Battalion. Bravo 1/5 was isolated and nearly overrun but held when Marine artillery rained tear gas around their position. Sergeant Rodney M. Davis, Platoon Guide of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, purposely absorbed the force of an NVA grenade to protect the lives of other Marines during that fight. Sergeant Davis was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for this action.

The nearby 3rd Battalion was also heavily engaged a few hours later. India Company, dispatched to attack a hill held by the enemy, was isolated and nearly overrun by the NLF 1st Regiment's previously uncommitted 3rd Battalion. Kilo Company fought through the NLF and relieved India but the two companies were then found to have too many casualties to move. Two determined night assaults by the NLF were repulsed, and Mike Company eventually fought through against weakening opposition as the NLF withdrew.

As the enemy withdrew, the Marine battalions continued to press them in a series of bitter engagements. By September 15, the PAVN 2nd Division and NLF 1st Regiment had largely given up contesting the southern half of the Que Son Valley. The area remained quiet from then until the Marines turned all of southern I Corps over to the U.S. Army at the beginning of 1968. U.S. intelligence agencies later determined that the two enemy regiments that had been most active during Operation Swift were subsequently unfit for combat.

As Operation Swift concluded large U.S. Army units arrived in southern I Corps, allowing the 1st Marine Division to base a substantial force in the Que Son Valley on a permanent basis.

 ^{More About the United States Marine Corps}

The history of the United States Marine Corps began with the founding of the Continental Marines on 10 November 1775 to conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and discipline enforcement, and assist in landing forces. Its mission evolved with changing military doctrine and foreign policy of the United States. Owing to the availability of Marine forces at sea, the United States Marine Corps has served in nearly every conflict in United States history. It attained prominence when its theories and practice of amphibious warfare proved prescient, and ultimately formed a cornerstone of the Pacific Theater of World War II. By the early 20th century, the Marine Corps would become one of the dominant theorists and practitioners of amphibious warfare. Its ability to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises has made and continues to make it an important tool for American foreign policy.

^{United States Marine Corps 237th Birthday: Origins and Traditions}
 

Prior to 1921, Marines celebrated the recreation of the Corps on 11 July with little pomp or pagentry.^[ On 21 October 1921, Major Edwin North McClellan, in charge the Corps's fledgling historical section, sent a memorandum to Commandant John A. Lejeune, suggesting the Marines’ original birthday of 10 November be declared a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated throughout the Corps. Lejeune so ordered in Marine Corps Order 47:

MARINE CORPS ORDERS No. 47 (Series 1921) HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS Washington, November 1, 1921 759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt. On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name "Marine". In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history. The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home, generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security. In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps. JOHN A. LEJEUNE, Major General Commandant

The first formal ball was celebrated in 1925, though no records exist that indicate the proceedings of that event. Birthday celebrations would take varied forms, most included dances, though some accounts include mock battles, musical performances, pageants, and sporting events.


The celebrations were formalized and standardized by Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. in 1952, outlining the cake cutting ceremony, which would enter the Marine Drill Manual in 1956. By tradition, the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present, symbolizing the old and experienced Marines passing their knowledge to the new generation of Marines. The celebration also includes a reading of Marine Corps Order 47, republished every year, as well as a message from the current Commandant, and often includes a banquet and dancing if possible. In many cases, the birthday celebration will also include a pageant of current and historical Marine Corps uniforms, as a reminder of the history of the Corps. Marines are reputed to celebrate the birthday, regardless of where they may be in the world, even in austere environments or combat.


Photo Credits: Genma Holmes and Bert Watkins


^{History: USMC and Wikipedia}