New Beginnings

     This is the time of year to celebrate new beginnings.   Christians around the world share the message of the cross and the birth of a new covenant through the death, burial and  resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It's a triumphant time, one that brings the hope of eternal salvation, a new life and purpose for those who believe.   In other words a fresh start, and the promise of daily renewal along the way.   It's a gift.
 
       There's no better time to celebrate rebirth, than the spring, when the temperature gradually warms and winter's last grip slips away.  The burst of color that magically takes over our dormant landscape is a welcomed sight.   You can feel the energy in the breeze and in the smiles of those soaking up its beauty.   It's a yearly revival that reminds us of the cycle of life, and ushers in an excitement that comes with a budding season.

      It's been almost a year since the release of  "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf."   Yet this title is still expanding its platform.  In the first three months of 2013 our focus has naturally evolved to include the hope of rebuilding lives.   In February, our spotlight on black history month took us to the Pike Township Public Library for a "meet and greet."  There we talked with students, professionals, moms and dads who all took a moment to interrupt their evening for a chance to share their own goals, concerns and dreams.   And yes we answered questions about the murder mystery they had heard about from decades past.   It was there that I met a 7-year old little girl who's sweet innocence made me appreciate all the more, Shirley McQueen, the main character in "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf."    McQueen's father took her out one night and it changed her life forever, but not for her good.
At the Pike Township library, it was an inspiring scene.  A little girl out with her Daddy, who was helping her to seek knowledge and build self-esteem through education.  How refreshing!

     National Women's Day in early March, allowed us to focus along with millions of others around the world, to reflect on the accomplishments of our sisters and to discuss solutions to their on-going challenges.   Domestic violence is one of those areas.   "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf" tackles the subject within it's pages; documenting the mistreatment of women by the only suspect charged in the racial killing of Carol Jenkins.   That's what prompted me to accept an invitation to join advocates across the city of Indianapolis in their work to strengthen outreach programs for women seeking help.   "Hope and All that Jazz" sponsored by the Beacon of Hope Womens' Center raised thousands of dollars to provide counseling and shelter.  It was my distinct honor to be a part of their efforts.  The grateful tears of a brave woman, now living a new existence free from violence, is a treasured memory from that night, and clearly one more reason to celebrate!

Stamp of Approval

     The look on her face says it all.   Anyone who knows the story of Rosa Parks, knows there is much to say.  Yet somehow, without a hint of arrogance, self promotion or celebrity, the woman who took a stand by sitting down on that Montgomery City bus back in December of 1955, now takes her seat among America's most notable.  The Rosa Parks U.S. postage stamp is being unveiled in cities across the country, on what would have been her 100th birthday, and during Black History Month.

    Poised and posed in a green suit and matching pill-box hat, "the mother of civil rights" offers a dignified gaze of clarity, one that brings into focus how a response to an unplanned challenge made a world of difference.   Rosa Parks didn't set out that day to become a civil rights icon.   Tired, in her rightful place and minding her own business, she was confronted with an injustice so many had grown to accept.   But on that day, she faced a personal test.  We all get them from time to time, when our beliefs and values come under the greatest assault.   How we respond is often determined by who we really are at the core of our beings.   Rosa Parks quietly resisted, yet in that moment stirred up a firestorm of change that we now honor and celebrate.

    Once again it's a reminder that no matter our role, whether large or small, we all have a hand in making our communities better places to live.  We don't know when our individual voice will be called upon to speak up.

    "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf" explores a similar theme.   A child witness to a horrific civil rights crime spends decades trying to find the voice to uncap a devastating secret.   In the end, it comes down to her own personal convictions about right and wrong.   It's a difficult journey, but necessary to bring accountability where there has been none.

"Truth Marching On in 2013"

      "His truth is marching on!"   Chills shot up my spine; the fullness of emotion lodged in my throat as the beautiful voices of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang the last verse of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" during the Inauguration Ceremonies.   That moment did it for me.   Such a simple phrase had pulled together so many narratives all at once.

     It's a new year and the hope of what's yet to come is still fresh in my heart and mind.  I had been pondering what I wanted to say in my first post of 2013.  The first 6-months since the launch of "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf" have been wonderfully exciting and well beyond expectations.  I've signed hundreds of books that have reached the hands of readers all across Central Indiana and into New York, Florida, Maryland, California and Texas.   My signature message: "Truth Unfolds..."

    Now as our team moves well into the next 6-months, the truth of what happened in Indiana is also marching on.   We're working on some wonderful new initiatives that prayerfully will help us to share the impact of the lives of a young black woman whose dreams were dashed in 1968 and the little girl who, finally as a woman, was able to unleash that secret burden with a truth so many had begged for, for 30-years.

     Months before Carol Jenkins met her violent end, a preacher whose poetic words inspired a nation to rethink human rights, also fell to the shameful vices of racism.   On this day and every day that one visits the new King memorial in Washington D.C., Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy offers new seeds of hope and equality.  We haven't arrived yet and sometimes it seems as if change is slow in coming.  That's not to deny that some significant progress has been made.   Yet I can still hear the words from one of his memorable speeches asking, "How long?..."  There's no clear timetable for that piercing question?  But we can say..."His truth is marching on..."

    And then their is our democracy.   An amazing process established to maintain order amid the handing over of power.   Yet the last couple of years have made us all question the hearts behind the political divide in our nation.   Racism and intolerance sometimes just a scratch beneath the surface.  But one look at the Inauguration crowd, revealed diversity, and reason to believe there are more on the side of coming together than those wishing to wedge us apart.   There's honor in an inclusive tone, that reiterates "tolerance, opportunity, human dignity and justice."   No we won't agree on everything, but  we must cooperate and vow to protect our humanity.  That's the call we must all address in 2013 as we understand that   "His truth is marching on...Our God is Marching on!"

Hope...Thanks... and Happy Holidays!

     Black Friday...Small Business Saturday...and Cyber Monday.   The holiday season is upon us and we're all looking for ways to show our love and appreciation, whether it's part of our faith celebration  or the year-end send off for a club or organization.

      For weeks now, it's been encouraging to see many gifting by sharing "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf."  I think I know why.   "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf," is not just the story of Carol Jenkins' death, or the life of the 7-year old little girl who witnessed the unthinkable, but through it all, it's a story of hope.   Hope for unity, hope for devastating cycles in families to be broken and hope that the places where we live can emerge better than the past.

     I saw that hope in the eyes of dozens of book lovers who stopped by to chat and to check out "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf,"at the Indiana Historical Society's Annual Holiday Author Fair on December 3rd.  One woman told me "I remember when it happened.  This story needs to be told!"  Another gentlemen offered thanks;  His focus:  justice and the hope of peace for families impacted by crime.  Just as memorable:  the young couple that grabbed an arm full of books, counting off the names of people who could benefit from learning about Indiana history.

     The holiday book fair was a gift unto itself, given to 80-authors from across the state.
It was a chance for all of our work to shine, and for each to celebrate the other.  (I certainly purchased featured titles to add to my family's collection.)

     This give and take is what makes this time of year so special.  Weeks prior to the author fair, I accepted a wonderful invitation from a book club at a local church.  These women have been reading together for years.  Their last read for 2012 was "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf."   The discussion in the party room of a north side restaurant was electric!   Some of these women lived through the civil rights struggle and had a greater appreciation for  the story.  They were in essence living examples of hope from the past!   They had overcome discrimination in their own lifetimes and were now using their careers in education and ministry to give back.

     That night, I walked away proud, but not about anything I had done.  I was proud of these African American women, newfound role models who have been out there making a difference everyday.
They were the women who smoothed the path for me and countless others.  Yet on this night they sat  listening intently to what I had to share, each of them draped in a beautiful yellow scarf.   What a gift!

    Thank you and many blessings for the Holidays!

  

    

Arm in arm with Legendary Reporters

I remember my dad, a hardworking laborer, coming home after a long days work as a mechanic at International Harvest (Navistar) and tuning into some hearings on  t.v.   At first glance it seemed kind of boring.   A bunch of men in business suits talking about secret recordings and Former President Nixon.   I didn't really know what it meant, I was just a little girl, but it was clear it was important to the adults in my life.

The significance of Watergate didn't really sink in for me until government class in high school.  Not just the crime of what had taken place, but the role of two newspaper reporters, who began following the trail of a single tip and ultimately unraveled a case that brought down a President and his administration.

Fast forward.  Now 40-years after that reporting, I found myself sitting immersed, mesmerized and deeply inspired as I listened to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein talk about the investigation that  made their names legendary.   As I took it in, my heart smiled inside.  They were talking my language!   Digging into records, following a trail, and trying to factually report the twist and turns.

My heart pounded as they recounted the grey days of doubt, the efforts to side-track and stonewall their reporting efforts, and the "head against the wall" moments when scared witnesses refused to talk.   I could relate.  On a much smaller scale, I experienced similar feelings trying to get to the truth of what happened to Carol Jenkins.  No I wasn't going up against the Commander in Chief of a nation, but I was dealing with people who had the power to investigate me, even arrest me if I broke the law.   Right then and there, I felt the connection with these men as investigative reporters trying to uncover what was hidden.

Equally fascinating was the story behind the story, focused on their incredible publisher, a woman, named Katherine Graham.  They personally talked about her strength in the face of battle.  She was nothing short of heroic!   She stood steadfast at a time when women's voices were just beginning to be heard.

It was an incredible night of sharing by Woodward and Bernstein.  I don't even know how long they talked, I only know I wanted more.   Their work is what I believe our forefathers wanted to ensure transparency and truth.

As I departed the convention center, inspired like a new student of investigative reporting, I couldn't believe who was right there within my reach, and my grasp.  Woodward and Bernstein were making their exit too.   I told them I was an investigative reporter and wanted to snap a quick picture of them.   Within seconds, to my delight, we were all locking arms, as the smile in my heart now beamed across my face.  Here I was, 40-years after the fact, arm in arm with the duo that captivated my dad's attention and now mine!

What a moment...what a responsibility I feel as their words were not lost on me.  I'm proud of
"The Girl in the Yellow Scarf," it also reminds me, to follow the trail and report the facts, whatever they might be.  (Check out the photo at "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf" facebook page)

Indiana University Themester 2012

Thought-provoking.  It's the best way to describe the evening inside the beautiful Hutton Honors College at Indiana University, Bloomington for Themester 2012!   The topic:  "Good Behavior-Bad Behavior:  Molecules to Morality."

Warmth filled the room, from both the relaxing fire in the fireplace and the conversations fueled by "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf."   As I spoke to the diverse crowd of students, staff, and Bloomington area residents, I felt the connection between a group of people who dared to explore the dynamics of racism, the culture of small communities and the unwritten rules of conduct among families.

It was striking to be in such a rich environment designed to foster knowledge, growth and culture and yet realize that just 30-minutes from where we sat a community still struggles to emerge from a tarnished reputation of bigotry.

We talked about the 7-year old child who witnessed Carol Jenkins' brutal murder, and the four letter word, "F-E-A-R" that kept an ugly secret locked away for too many years.

For more than 90-minutes we bantered back and forth, and afterwards more private opportunities to share about everything from my role as a reporter working on the case, to the dueling roles of the media and law enforcement.

Most impressive was the emotional reaction of the students.  Young people with hearts trying to understand behaviors that were once acceptable norms, while cultivating their own moral standards and paths to the future.

Reading the book is certainly one thing, but examining the underlying steps to morality is a valuable lesson for any student of life.

For more on the IU visit:
http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=89166

A Salute to Carol's Hometown

     The leaves are changing colors and the slight chill in the air signal a very special time in Indiana.
Autumn is here and with it memories of a young woman who was remembered in part because of the bright yellow scarf she wore the night of her fateful encounter with darkness.

      On these beautiful fall days, I choose to remember Carol for her vibrant spirit and the hope that her legacy can illuminate in us all.   I've never been reminded so much of this, as the Saturday afternoon I spent in Rushville, Indiana... Carol Jenkins' hometown.

      Several of the town's forward thinking businessmen and women extended a kind invitation for me to visit Rushville for a book signing for "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf."   What transpired was awesome!

      Our book team was met with amazing warmth and a perfect day to talk about Rushville, Carol and the book that many Rushville residents say they're glad has been written.  For many it filled in missing gaps on what happened back in 1968 and beyond.  I learned a few things too!   Someone shared that no news articles had ever been written in Rushville about Carol, her death or the 33-year old murder mystery.  Most of what residents say they knew was based on information from outside of their community.   It was truly my pleasure to sign books and to talk to Carol's former high school classmates about their times with her.

     We told stories, took pictures and shared smiles for hours.  What delighted my heart most was to see how the community embraced  Carol's father, Paul Davis.  They were there to support him as much as anything, and to me that speaks of real community!   It was a day that he could bask in knowing his town would remember his daughter, and that they cared enough to support a work in her honor.  At the same time, they would learn more about another daughter, one who shed light on a case that had baffled so many.  

     It was also fun to talk with David Willkie..Wendell Willkie's grandson.  He too stopped by to support us, and shared about working in New York at 60-Minutes when the 2002 arrest was made in the Carol Jenkins Murder Case.  Here he was in our nation's largest city reading on the front page of  the New York Times about the case that was unfolding back in his home state of Indiana!   It was fascinating to hear his version of this big news.   It gave me such a different perspective.

     Thank you Rushville for a remarkable day.   It was a great stop on our journey.  We're heading now to Indiana University in Bloomington for "Themester 2012 to talk about the molecules to morality!