Assignment #8 and #9

First I must apologize for not entering in this blog for some time and not entering on Tuesday night. I have been having problems with my home computer. In my mind I had a map or an approach to who and how I would tackle this role model assignment. Sorry Dr. Rock that you had to push so hard but through your motivational encouraging push I had to ask myself why I haven't put my head plans into action if only to write in the blog. First I had to identify a role model and initially, I just thought no one would be willing to speak with me. However, I had a plan and put it into action and got results that I never would have expected.

First, I searched on line for Women Mayors and located an article in an Ebony from 1998 that featured Black Women Mayors. This article gave me names and locations and a brief description of each background. Well as it turns out Evanston's Mayor is a black women, the Honorable Mayor Lorraine Morton. The other five lived in other states. I contacted a friend of mine who lives in Evanston and inquired about the mayor and my friend informed me that this is an election year and that one of the candidates running for Mayor of the City of Evanston is also a Black women.

In the meantime I was still trying to find five role models and couldn't come up with one that I thought I could contact. But I brainstormed with myself. also, I am making this very long for two reasons: 1 to redeem myself for not blogging and 2 to be able to go back and trace my steps. Okay, but this is good stuff. Now I'm feeling stagnate and I am questioning why I chose to reveal this personal childhood dream that I believe I could do in the first place (whew). But inside a small still voice said pursue your passion. A big voice followed by several emails said Just DO IT! So, I went online and this time I searched for Mayor Morton of Evanston to see what I can find out about her background. It gets better and better.


Totally unexpected, she had an email address and a number where I could contact her. I still did not believe it would be that simple to contact her. Why again was I reluctant? I don't know but another email from Dr. Rock (it worked for me) and I contacted the Mayor Morton via email. In that email I introduced myself and informed her she was my role model and asked for a meeting. In that email I acknowledge that I knew she had a very busy schedule. Another email from Dr. Rock and more encouragement I decided to follow up with a telephone call since I had not received a response to my email. So I called and left a voice message with the same script on the email. There I had done what Dr. Rock had asked, and asked, and asked. Plus, I know I am not trifling.

Drumrole please!!!!!!!!! I received a call from Mayor Morton's assistant acknowledging my email and phone call. She was instructed by the Mayor to contact me and the message she left was:

"She would be delighted to talk to you. "

Only thing is with the upcoming election she would not be able to meet with me until after the election on April 7th. I am so excited and blown away! This has encouraged me to move forward and to go through the plans I have to contact other role models. Some of which I have not identified but another one is Dorothy Brown. I have looked on line for Dorothy Brown but she won't be as easy to contact as Mayor Morton. I have drafted a letter for Dorothy Brown and plan on taking it downtown to her office. After the election in Evanston, I will also contact the other mayoral candidate who is an Alderwoman Elizabeth Tisdahl.

Also, I am looking for an Alderwomen here in Chicago that I can possibly talk with.

Stay tuned.