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ZEBRA FEATURE
L. Mellinda Haynes Craig
“I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now”
By Maya Angelou
1962 was a year of change. John F.
Kennedy was halfway through his first
term in office, and the Civil Rights
movement was beginning to be noticed.
Segregation was everywhere and Black
family stereotyping began to emerge in
to a social issue.
By picking up any social issues text,
one could read about the typecasting of
the matriarchal, poor black family. It
was into such a family, in 1962, that I
was born. However, it was only on the
surface that this story fits my life.
From early on, my mother instilled in
all her children the belief that education
was the answer. “You can never learn
too much”, she would often tell us.
It was during the Model Cities
Development that great opportunities
were made available to me. During this
time I began exploring, learning,
developing and increasing my desire to
learn more.
However, I couldn’t have done any of
this without a caring support system.
The interlinkage of multi-cultural, car
ing individuals who believed in me, gave
me the assurance to proceed. My only
limitations were the ones I placed on
myself.
With the spiritual guidance given to
me by the clergy, as well as my Mother’s
complete faith in me, I was guided over
a rocky path and stormy sea.
My siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews,
aunts, uncles and former neighbors all
told me to aim higher. They were there
to give me that needed boost when I felt
like I was slipping. Friends, real friends,
the kinds that put you above themselves,
made a commitment to see me through
Graduate School to receive my Master’s
Degree. They never left me for an
instant.
On the job experience in the Long
Term Care field led me to becoming
adept at conflict resolution, while main
taining my professional demeanor. All
the while the extended network of car
ing individuals continued to insist that I
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could go further.
When I was hired at the Athens
Neighborhood Health Center, by Dr.
Diane Dunston, I was carrying a heavy
personal load. My father was placed in
a Long Term Care facility, my mother
had major surgery and afterwards re
quired frequent monitoring. My husband
needed me, yet I was enrolled in the
Master of Social Work Program, driv
ing to Gwinnett three nights a week for
classes, as well as having a heavy study
load.
The trust and support from the Athens
Neighborhood Health Center made it
possible for me to shoulder my respon
sibilities. Again, the extended network
and my deep faith in God carried me
through.
Now in 1994, the ultimate challenge
has been given me by Dr. Dunston and
the Athens Neighborhood Health
Center. As the Administrative Director
of this facility, I have a goal and dream
of unfilled destiny as I work with city of
ficials and learn the intricacies of local
government in order to fulfill the Athens
Neighborhood Health Center’s dream (a
satellite Center in the East Athens Com
munity). The trust and authority given
me is proof that all of the positive em
powerment received throughout the years
since 1962, have stood me in good stead.
Self satisfaction, for pushing beyond,
has shown me that the road to fulfillment
begins within. Spiritual guidance, educa
tion, family, extended support, husband,
employer, the Model Cities Programs, all
have had a part into molding L. Mellin
da Haynes Craig.
I wouldn’t take a thing for my train
ing through life’s school. Each and every
facet from the stereotypical surface
beginning up to right now has only serv
ed to help me grow and further my desire
to show others that life is truly what you
make of it. In conclusion the only failure
in life is not to try. I refused to be a
failure and each and every day I will step
forward to make a difference.
ZEBRA VOL. 3 ISSUE 1