Women pushing the pen; making both history and a difference. Lansing is a wonderful city of varied communities. We like to think it is growing in numerous ways, with a number of activities one can find for entertainment as well as educational enrichment. The diverse atmosphere is what makes this a thriving and well rounded group of communities in which everyone can remain energized and happy by staying involved.

Lansing has a group of women making a difference on the writing, poetry and literary scene. Economic growth-with diversity being one of the keys- is received with open arms all over, so Lansing appears to welcome the obvious expansion in this Artistic arena with a small group of women leading the way. Though these women hail from every corner of Lansing, they have an impressive commonality-they are all authors, who are writing, mentoring, reading and serving their communities. These women-personally and collectively-share strength, wisdom and enthusiasm with all readers of their works. They write with insight, sincerity, value and love. They had early dreams of writing, thus devised tools of imagination, creativity, fantasy, attitude and facts to do so. Their individual goal- to leave a legacy- has come to fruition via their actions, words and reflections, which expose many facets of their journey as they travel through life. So Lansing, you have greatness here in your midst and this month of celebrating Women’s History is an ideal time to show your support for the ladies listed below and ideally all others who strive to make a difference in both their community and the world. This Sisterhood of women, who support each other, wants you to know they mean business and are on the move to make some good things happen right here in Lansing.

SHERRY BRANTLEY
Sherry Brantley, author of Choices: The Power Is Within You, has spent over ten years speaking and motivating groups. Her expertise and varied knowledge enables her to cover topics such as: building self-esteem; gaining control of your life; making right personal choices; clearing up past credit history; preparing for homeownership; and realizing The Power is Within. She covers numerous topics related to spiritual and personal growth and her mission includes assisting people to make positive choices in their lives; effecting positive changes by tapping into and utilizing their own Personal Power while respecting and accepting the Personal Power of others.

Sherry truly believes, “All of us possess Personal Power. We must learn to tap into it on a daily basis. Believing in ourselves is the first step. Trusting in ourselves is the second. Once you start to envision what you want in life and focus on that vision, you will be amazed at how quickly the universe opens to receive what you believe, so that 'You Can' achieve.” In addition to the many speaking engagements at: Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, Harry Hill Vocational Center, the Black Child and Family Institute, The Single Parent Family Institute, Ballentine Stepping Stones, and others, Sherry has founded a program (STEPP) Start To Exercise Personal Power, which is designed to not merely assist people to realize their potential, goals and purpose in life, but to also support them in specific ways in which they begin, implement, and complete these goals via mental exercises, worksheets and workshops. She is motivated and willing to help her community become the best it can be. For more information check out her website: www.inspirationalvoice.com

ANDREA KING COLLIER
Andrea King Collier, author of Still with Me, is a devoted daughter writing about her mother's death from ovarian cancer and the effect her illness had on Andrea and her family. Most of all, Still with Me emphasizes the love between herself and her mother. Andrea’s voice is that of a best friend who shares the frustrations, anger, and setbacks of a family dealing with a terminal illness. She candidly describes how both she and her mother were sustained and transformed by their mutual love and devotion. She was able to glean this wisdom, joy, pain and love in just over the year she had her valiant mother, Earline Comer Terry, formerly of Gary, with her here in Lansing. "We all learned a lot during that year -- about compassion, about love, about the deep well of family. We all learned about the importance of speaking up for ourselves,'' Collier writes.

Whether navigating the maze of diagnosis, treatment and quality of care, or finding joy in the everyday dramas of being a mommy to two little children or searching for ways to go back to "normal" after the loss of a loved one, Collier is able to put pen to paper and share her legacy with us all. She writes with honesty, humor, and hope, wherein she relates her experiences, fears, frustrations and feelings to the degree we find ourselves right there in her shoes-feeling her pain, sorrow, happiness and joy. Still with Me, an empowering book, is a love letter to all mothers and daughters. And with it, she also deliberately breaks new ground in the African-American community by openly discussing cancer, terminal illness and family involvement, which is educational in itself.

DEE FREEMAN
Dee Freeman, a poet on the move, shares her poetry via her books (Poetry She Wrote and Oceans of Love) and her TV show-Poetree-N-Motion-with many, including her church-Friendship Baptist, the City of Lansing’s MLK function, the City Council’s Black History function, MLK Holiday Commission, classrooms and assemblies of Lansing Schools, Capital Area District Library functions and several local establishments like the Cadillac Club, 621 and Gregory’s and in Old Town-Creole Gallery and Imani’s Attire and Books. Poetree-N-Motion airs on Lansing’s local Comcast station, channel 16, Thursday at 3:30 PM and East Lansing’s WELM channel 30, Tuesday at 7:00pm. Dee, a motivated and compelling poet and author, wanted to stretch and reach for the stars; so decided to put her talents to the test. She believes her show will become the home base to allow others to come out of their shells and spread their artistic and creative wings as they soar higher and higher-to new heights.

Dee says she will never give up the hopes and dreams of having a book on the top charts, as she loves writing and sharing just that much. Her “Poetry, She Wrote” series-books of reflection, motivation, affection, family and love-is still in progress-coming closer every day, as Poetry She Wrote II: Reflections is ready for the press, but held at bay to allow PSW I adequate time on the scene. Dee is most grateful to her number one supporter, her husband, Attorney Myron Freeman; is also extremely proud of her three adult children and dearly loves her grandsons-Giovanni, Mario and Myron III. From feedback and numerous comments, she feels her words and works are making a positive difference. She is on a mission-to spread inspiration, knowledge and love throughout Michigan-leaving a rich legacy for all to see and pay forward. If you wish to share some information or send feedback about her show, please do so at de_poette@hotmail.com

DIANE GARDIN
Diane Gardin, author of “Echoes of My Soul” has been a writer since the age of nine and believes writing is God’s gift to her. For her, writing is a ministry and she hopes her words bring joy, comfort, enlightenment and peace to all who read them. She is a freelance writer for a local newspaper-The Michigan Bulletin- and shares her poetry at numerous places in and around Lansing. She has had many devotionals and works of poetry published in journals, magazines and other media. Ms. Gardin has used her talents to lead and assist a group of new writers to hone their creativity, which is a credit to her devotion to her community.

This author is very active in her church- Pilgrim Rest Baptist- as a Sunday School teacher and works on several women's Ministries. As a Christian, she believes every door opened for her is the plan and will of God. Diane served her country as a Non Commissioned Officer (E-5) in the Army Reserves for eight years with assignments and trainings in Germany, Belgium, Arizona, and Michigan. Her life is extremely busy still, as she is concurrently working for the federal government and completing her degree in Communications at Michigan State University while mothering, volunteering, writing and reading. She is the proud mother of handsome son, James Patrick and beautiful daughter, Janene Patrice Gardin, who help to make her life rich and worth living.

DIANNE M. HICKS
Another community activist is Lady Di (Dianne) Hicks. This spirited soul hails from Delta Township and is author of Soulful Expressions on Love and Women. Ms. Hicks brought her talents to the Lansing area from Detroit where she attended the University of Detroit and graduated from Parker Institute of Business and John Robert Powers School of Modeling. In Lansing, she graduated from Adams Finishing School and has done numerous training videos, television commercials, modeling, etiquette workshops, a film entitled “From Venus” and plays with the Lansing Civic Players and Riverwalk Theater.
Dianne took an early retirement from the Michigan House of Representatives, but keeps busy, using her skills and creativity, as a freelance journalist for the Chronicle and The Michigan Bulletin newspapers and is an active member of the Voices of Trinity Choir and the Women’s Guild at Trinity A.M.E. Church. She is President of The Earl Nelson Singers, a choral group, directed by Verna Holley, which has appeared at Carnegie Hall. She self-published her first book of poetry, “Visions and Sweet Dreams by Lady Di,” several years ago. She shares her literary works all around town in places like her church, Gregory’s, Creole Gallery, the Cadillac Club and a number of local television shows. She is currently working on her third book, “The Power of Love from the Well of Life” which she hopes to have in circulation in 2006. She is the proud mother of one son, Robert and two grandsons, all reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

LANDIS LAIN
Ms. Lain, a contributing author for “Chicken Sour for the African American Soul”, has been writing since grade school. Her story “Rusty Feet” is a tribute to her father and his importance in shaping her into the well rounded individual she has become. She received her Bachelor of Arts in 1984 and her Juris Doctorate in 1988. She is an Administrative Law Judge-Director of Administrative Hearings, employed with the State of Michigan. She is a volunteer coach and a member of St. Stephens Community Church here in Lansing.

Ms. Lain is married to Frank Lain and has three children, Branden, Brian and Avian. In addition to caring for her crew, she mentors children in the community as a way of giving back. She writes essays, creative nonfiction, romance and fiction as well as inspirational essays. She loves God, her husband, children, sports, dance and reading. Reach her at lainl@michigan.gov.

REV. VERSEY WILLIAMS
Versey Williams, author of We Believe: A Bible Study Of The 25 Articles Of Religion, My Grandma’s Dog and My Journey With Addiction, is a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She has a B.A. in Human Resources Management from Spring Arbor College, an M.A. in Educational Ministry from Calvin Theological Seminary and is a doctoral student at The Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. She’s a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains and is a certified chaplain at Ingham Regional Medical Center, and has also been involved in prison ministry. “We Believe”…a participatory book, is like a delightful feast-a main course for Christians, a biblical reinforcement with key principles that define the Christian faith and an aide in getting acquainted with God.

Rev. Versey Williams’ My Grandma’s Dog, is narrated by her grandson, Deon Williams. The young perceptive Deon saw how sad his grandmother was after her divorce, so decided Nala needed to My Grandma’s Dog. Grandma Williams says, "this is a true story that begins with grief, and ends with a peace and contentment which I have never known. Nala has been my closest example of unconditional love – yes, I know Nala is a dog-but she’s my dog!" My Journey with Addiction is her personal journey of how she survived an abusive relationship with a husband addicted to drugs. Now the benefits outweigh the burdens as she shares new insight and hope for those struggling with addition.

Sisterhood of The Written Word invites you to watch for coming events through out the year.