We (Brian, Ash, and me) watched Rhonda Walker interview the first Black woman justice appointed to Michigan’s Supreme Court on the news this evening, and I felt so many divine emotions. Ash sat on the floor, looking up at the TV. I sat next to him, going on about how much I admired Rhonda Walker when I was younger, seeing her on TV every day, and how beyond excited I was to see her (in person) one day at a scholarship gala. It was the Thomara Latimer Cancer Foundation’s sixth annual scholarship gala, and yours truly was one of the recipients. (I believe) she was the speaker that evening.
Of course, I had to show Ash my token picture, which I’ve kept in an easily accessible photo album. I remember walking up to her table and asking if I could take a picture with her. She obliged, as you can see, but I blew it because my eyes were closed (ugh)! And this was not in the period of fancy camera phones. This was the disposable Kodak camera, develop the picture later point in our photography history.
Anyway, she told me my suit was nice as I walked away. Nineteen years later, I still remember that five-minute encounter because it meant everything to me. And I was beside myself with the suit compliment because her class and style inspired me.
(I know you do not appreciate the suit in this pic, but it was one of my favorites, and I wore it repeatedly. I think it was Kay Unger—likely found at one of the big off-price stores at Livonia Mall. I remember taking it to the tailors for alterations.)
I reminisce on how I felt as a young Black woman when I saw Rhonda Walker that day. And as I watched the news this evening, I thought about all the young black kids who will see Justice Kyra Harris Bolden in that way and be inspired by that admiration.
Representation is so lovely that way. It keeps igniting hope.
I spent a little time explaining to Ash what a Justice was (which I hope stuck). And when Justice Kyra Harris Bolden came on the TV, I said, ‘Ok, Ash, that’s her!’ He looked at the screen and said, “Wait, that’s her?!” I said, “Yep, what do you think?” My six-year-old looked at me and said, “GOOD!” And I felt happy! What a perfect first day of Black history month!
History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.
Michelle Obama
