Make the country better for those yet unborn who will never know the seat you took, the ride you rode, the risk you accepted, the fare you paid, the change you made.
– Charles Person, Civil Rights Activist

As a powerful leader and advocate for family child care, Jerletha McDonald shares the following in her chapter of Stories of Resistance:

“The early childhood education field is comprised of 40 percent women of color. It is important that we use our voice and platform unapologetically. The children we serve deserve excellence and a confirmation of the greatness that they possess.”

She continues:

“It is my belief that the early childhood education professional must work to empower children, while empowering herself economically. I have been called to pour into others and provide a blazing blueprint to success and servant leadership. While serving young children and their families, we must encourage children to embrace their gifts and those qualities that make them unique and authentic.

“We must affirm the gifts of each child and work to cultivate and nurture that child in order for the gifts to take flight. We must speak into children the wondrous possibilities that can lead to prosperous and fulfilling lives. In addition, we must create a standard of excellence in the lives of the children in our care that will remain with them into adulthood.”

McDonald concludes, “Leadership requires a willingness to move despite adversity and opposition.”

On June 1, Jerletha will be a keynote speaker at the Elevate Child Care Business Summit in Omaha, Nebraska.