From the Desk of the President
Dear Members and Friends,
On behalf of the officers of the Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Branch, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, I wish all mothers a spirit filled Happy Mothers Day.
Strong mothers, women and girls had to use all of their ingenuity. strength, and intelligence to navigate and survive the dreaded Middle Passage to the Americas. The mothers, women and girls aboard those horrible wicked slave ships and enslaved on Antebellum Plantations and throughout the Thirteen Colonies didn’t have a manual on life that advised them on how to survive in a sweltering sea of colonization.
These mothers knew there would be a much brighter day as they were guided by the spirit and love of their ancestors.
Indigenous women, mothers of the Americas in concert with African women and European women were strong women who passed on a great legacy of enduring hard work to their respective daughters.
Mothers, women and girls in the Thirteen Colonies had to perform back breaking difficult jobs, tasks and chores. However, when the U. S Constitution was ratified, women were not included as equals in the original compact and Africans were legally enshrined as Three Fifths of a person.
Indigenous tribe women, African free and enslaved women were constantly under siege throughout the Thirteen Colonies but still they would persevere.
Strong mothers are in essence a true gift to the world and so on this Mother’s Day and everyday let us honor and praise the work of all mothers.
Ronald B. Saunders, President Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Branch ASALH
DR. EDNA B. MCKENZIE BRANCH OF ASALH 