"During the Women's History Month celebration in Tyler, Texas, on March 2 2024, I had the pleasure of meeting various fascinating individuals. My gratitude to Marlondos C Fields for his dedication and passion towards preserving history. Yesterday's Tomorrow (Marlondos Fields) "Vera (Richard) Harris"

From left to Right: Kishia Boddie, Pamela Erwin, Connie Isabell, and Vera (Richard) Harris.

From left to Right: Kishia Boddie, Pamela Erwin, Connie Isabell, and Vera (Richard) Harris.Photo byClarence Edmond Shackelford AKA M1Y, (C) 2024

Kishia Boddie

Kishia aka "MsBoddie SpeakLife" is a single mother of three and grandmother of two; also a U.S. Navy veteran. She is a published model and crazy about God. Loves helping others when possible.

MsBoddie is a smart, strong, professional and purpose-driven woman. What's of her is nothing plain but very unique. She is like a consuming fire, who has been through the hardships and the ruggedness of life. Because of this, her life lessons have made her an excellent ambassador of life and love in which many have come to know and learn.

MsBoddie has come to be a counselor/life coach, giver, helper, and healer in her own right. Submitting to God in 2006 and building that intimate relationship allowed her to find herself and ultimately realize her voice. With that voice and exhibition of her negritude, her love for God and man is exuded in her many gifts and talents. She is a lover of bringing insight and delightful wisdom. Passion is her fueling and God is her covering.

She is masterful, she likes authority, she aspires toward an ideal. She likes to give advice. She is honest, frank, loyal, open, and sincere. She is sweetness itself.

Pamela Erwin

Pamela is the owner of the Pamela Erwin and Associates for over 42 years since 1982 to the current, whichincludes Artistic Director of Pamela Erwin and Associates, DBA Dance Factory for 20+ years; and choreographer, jazz, modern and acting teacher. She also directed the Dance Factory of Tyer, Texas which opened in 1978, which taught bothDance and Theatre (20+ years).

She became a Teacher in the Tyler ISD's Moore Middle and Dogan Middle Schools, which spend 17 years from 1979 - 1996, teaching and coaching the Gifted and Talented, English, Exploratory Theatre.

She holds a BS, MA Theatre, Communication, English from Texas Woman's University - Mastery inMime, Jazz, and Modern Dance. Dance and acting in both community and professional theatre.Owner and director of Dance Factory in Tyler, Texas (20+ years). Tyler Independent School District(32years)-educator and Marketing fitness, wellness, and healthy beverages 11 years.Most recently, served faithfully on the board of the Tyler Civic Theatre and also owns Pam's Soulfood Vegan Kitchen.

Connie Isabell

Connie is a career educator who has a passion for educating children in non-conventional ways. Former Deputy Superintendent, Crowley ISD. Mrs. Isabell has a Masters of Art in History from Stephen F. Austin State University as well as an Administrative Certification. She initiated the Black History Bowl competition more than thirty years ago in 1988 in Tyler, Texas. She expanded the bowl competition to include a Hispanic Heritage Bowl in Lancaster and later in Crowley, Texas.

​ Three generations of students and adults have participated in Black History Bowls and Hispanic Heritage Bowls in these three cities; Crowley, Lancaster, and Tyler, Texas. Our goal is to bring these unique competitions to state and national youth and communities. Please join us in preparing productive citizens in the 21st century.

Vera (Richard) Harris

Award Winning Author Vera Richard Harris, called "Sister" by her family, enjoys traveling, reading, music, television, and sports. Vera retired from the Army and was inspired by her grandson to write her first children's book.

Vera Harris of Texas tolfd KLTV, that her second cousin Lillian Richard worked as an ambassador for the Aunt Jemima brand at an event held on March 2, 2024 at the at the Better Business Bureau in Tyler, Texas hosted by Yesterday's Tomorrow (Marlondos Fields).

Lillian Richard worked for the popular breakfast line of Quaker Foods for over 23 years, dating all the way back to 1925.

During that time, Lillian Richard was one of the women who portrayed Aunt Jemima for advertising purposes.

Harris said that Richard was seen as a hero in her hometown of Fouke, TX since she was one of the only black women to find a steady job decades before the civil rights movement.

“A lot of people want it removed. We want the world to know that our cousin Lillian was one of the Aunt Jemima’s and she made an honest living,” Harris explained. “We would ask that you reconsider just wiping all that away. There wasn’t a lot of jobs, especially for black women back in that time. She was discovered by Quaker Oats to be their brand person.”

For her family, the Aunt Jemima brand serves as a welcome reminder of the success that Lillian Richard accomplished in her life.

It’s not only the Aunt Jemima brand that they take issue with, Harris also said that the family is firmly against changing the names of military bases because they have relatives who served.

“I wish we would take a breath and not just get rid of everything, because good or bad, it is our history,” Harris added. “Removing that wipes away a part of me. A part of each of us. We are proud of our cousin.”

Pancake FestivalPhoto byStock photo

Sources: Tour Tyler Texas / http://empowermentcdc.org