Faith Against the Odds

<p>This book presents the story of Gladys January Willis-from early childhood to retirement as a university professor and administrator. It chronicles her experiences as a Black girl born and reared in Jackson Mississippi as well as her educational sojourn in college and graduate schools and a career in higher education and entrance into Christian ministry as an ordained chaplain. In Chapter IX of the book Willis writes:<p> <p>It is no secret that in my racist and segregated community the majority-White system promoted its message loudly and clearly-on the public buses in the segregated school system in employment practices in segregated eateries in housing developments in business transactions and in the political arena. One of the most impacting experiences in my life after the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act was that of exercising my right to vote. Because of the cherished right to vote as an American citizen whenever there is an election exercising my right to vote is a top priority. I am sure that my Black home environment played a vital role in the way I came to think about life in general and my own life in particular.<p> <p>She credits her maternal grandmother Henrietta Young Hedrick as her primary role model. Mama as she was called was a proud Black woman who demanded that she be respected. Her boldness was undaunted and communicated her respect for herself and her demand for the same from others regardless of who they were or their station in life.<p>