Mothers Full of Grace
Jacqueline Wright was born in Arkansas, but grew up in Milwaukee. Mother Wright, as she is affectionately known in the community, has always lived by the
Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As a result of this rule, she has befriended many people from different walks of life. She
always has a kind word and shares her wisdom and knowledge with all who seek it and will listen. She is a friend to all who meet her, both young and old. Mother
Wright has two children, Deana and Coleman. She is the proud grandmother to Deana’s children Dereck and Britini and Coleman’s daughter Kosha. She was
married to the late Rev. James C. Wright with whom she celebrated over 42 years of marriage. Mother Wright has been an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist
Church for many years and is a member of their Mother’s Board. She has worked as a beautician and Rev. Wright and she established a barbershop that they
later sold to Ben Parks. Mother Wright volunteers countless hours in Madison. If she’s feeling well enough, you can count on her being at most community events
that call for volunteers including the Urban League Guild, the NAACP-Madison Branch and Wright Middle School.
Linda Ward is a lifelong resident of Beloit, Wis. She is married to Walter Ward and is mother to Jackiew, Kenneth and Lisa. She is grandmother to Ashley who
is a junior at Florida University and Brittany who lives in Minnesota. Linda is the executive director of the Stateline Literacy Council. Linda is in the business of
empowering individuals through literacy, ultimately improving the quality of their lives and the lives of their families. For 20 years, Linda was the fundraising
chair for the NAACP-Beloit Chapter through which she brought in such notable speakers as Yolanda King, Tony Brown and Rev. Al Sharpton. She is currently
Grand Worthy Matron of Unity Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation in Milwaukee, which has subordinate chapters in Beloit, Madison,
Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine.
Fabu Carter Brisco is the proud mother of Woody Mogaka and is married to Jonathan Brisco. Professionally known as Fabu, she is a gifted writer and a
graduate of the UW-Madison with a Master’s in African Languages and Literature and Afro-American Studies. She serves the community as both an educator and
as a literary artist. Her poetry is particularly inspiring to Elders because it speaks to the racism that existed in their lifetimes and validates and affirms the courage
that it took to live through segregation and “Jim Crow” laws. As a literary artist, Fabu creates and shares enchanting original, unique stories and poetry, most often
from the perspective of women, children and African Americans. She is multicultural in perspective and encourages writing in many languages. In January
2008, Fabu was proclaimed Madison’s third Poet Laureate, a post she will hold for the next three years.
Linda Hancock is happily married to Jerome Hancock and the proud mother of Sharisse and Jerome. She is also proud of her grandchild, Alleanah Hancock-
Jammeh. While working full-time at WPS, Linda attained her B.S. degree in business administration from Edgewood College. She is active at S.S. Morris
Community AME Church and participates in charitable runs and walks. Linda enjoys basketball, volleyball, tennis, bike riding, walking, caring for people and
playing with her granddaughter.
Lilada Gee is an inspirational speaker, minister and author with a powerful and creative message of wholeness and empowerment, especially for women.
Lilada is the proud mother of Alexandra and Christian. She received a B.S. degree from the UW-Madison with triple majors in education, psychology and Afro-
American studies. She has over 20 years experience working with the Madison Metropolitan School District and Dane County Human Services. She is a co-
founder of the Nehemiah Community Development Corporation. She is now executive director of Women of Worth, a new initiative of Nehemiah. Lilada is also
an instructor with MATC, an ordained elder, a license minister and a certified trainer in women’s issues. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Lois McKnight was born and raised in Madison and is a mother, grandmother a sister and a friend to many. Her education includes Central High School,
MATC and UW-Madison. For over 25 years, Lois as been a musician for S.S. Morris Community AME Church. Her community work has always been to motivate
others. Her volunteerism, a job well done, springs forth from songs, storytelling, listening to elders and children and working in the community. Lois gives us the
gifts of the heart, love, kindness, understanding, sympathy, tolerance and forgiveness. She tells us she is getting older now and enjoys watching the result of her
hard work blossom.
Coralia Harn, a native of Panama, has been married to Max Harn for 45 years. Together, they raised Cora (Higgenbotham), Max Jr., Julie (Winzenried),
Jennifer (Patrello) and Tony who died in 1977. Coralia has been the owner of Stella’s Bakery for over 20 years. Her very own “Hot Spicy Cheese Bread,” of which
she has sold over 500,000 loaves, is unique to Madison although it is nationally renown. As an employer, she used her ability to hire and provide jobs to people
of color at a living wage. These opportunities gave former employees the ability to get experience and get better jobs in the Madison community. Coralia has
also found time to volunteer on the Boys & Girls Club’s board of directors. She is full of strength and peace and works diligently to remedy social injustice in the
Village.
Michelle DeBose, the mother of Jerrell and Sabrie, was born in Texas, but has lived in Madison for 23 years. She has a B.S. in nursing, a Master’s Degree
and a Ph.D. in education. Michelle has a radiant smile and recognizes that there is a need for humor in one’s life. She believes that mediocrity should be traded
in for diligence and a positive attitude. The Lord has blessed her with the gift to always put something extra in her work. She is the founder of the Witness
Project, a breast and cervical cancer education program. Michelle is also director of the African American Health Network. Her motto is “Good Health are for
US.” She is committed to reducing healthcare disparities and develops strategies to increase health care access for African American residents in Madison. She
is dedicated to promoting positive health outcomes in the Village.
Vurtis Williams is also a 2008 Mother Full of Grace Award recipient.
Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As a result of this rule, she has befriended many people from different walks of life. She
always has a kind word and shares her wisdom and knowledge with all who seek it and will listen. She is a friend to all who meet her, both young and old. Mother
Wright has two children, Deana and Coleman. She is the proud grandmother to Deana’s children Dereck and Britini and Coleman’s daughter Kosha. She was
married to the late Rev. James C. Wright with whom she celebrated over 42 years of marriage. Mother Wright has been an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist
Church for many years and is a member of their Mother’s Board. She has worked as a beautician and Rev. Wright and she established a barbershop that they
later sold to Ben Parks. Mother Wright volunteers countless hours in Madison. If she’s feeling well enough, you can count on her being at most community events
that call for volunteers including the Urban League Guild, the NAACP-Madison Branch and Wright Middle School.
Linda Ward is a lifelong resident of Beloit, Wis. She is married to Walter Ward and is mother to Jackiew, Kenneth and Lisa. She is grandmother to Ashley who
is a junior at Florida University and Brittany who lives in Minnesota. Linda is the executive director of the Stateline Literacy Council. Linda is in the business of
empowering individuals through literacy, ultimately improving the quality of their lives and the lives of their families. For 20 years, Linda was the fundraising
chair for the NAACP-Beloit Chapter through which she brought in such notable speakers as Yolanda King, Tony Brown and Rev. Al Sharpton. She is currently
Grand Worthy Matron of Unity Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation in Milwaukee, which has subordinate chapters in Beloit, Madison,
Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine.
Fabu Carter Brisco is the proud mother of Woody Mogaka and is married to Jonathan Brisco. Professionally known as Fabu, she is a gifted writer and a
graduate of the UW-Madison with a Master’s in African Languages and Literature and Afro-American Studies. She serves the community as both an educator and
as a literary artist. Her poetry is particularly inspiring to Elders because it speaks to the racism that existed in their lifetimes and validates and affirms the courage
that it took to live through segregation and “Jim Crow” laws. As a literary artist, Fabu creates and shares enchanting original, unique stories and poetry, most often
from the perspective of women, children and African Americans. She is multicultural in perspective and encourages writing in many languages. In January
2008, Fabu was proclaimed Madison’s third Poet Laureate, a post she will hold for the next three years.
Linda Hancock is happily married to Jerome Hancock and the proud mother of Sharisse and Jerome. She is also proud of her grandchild, Alleanah Hancock-
Jammeh. While working full-time at WPS, Linda attained her B.S. degree in business administration from Edgewood College. She is active at S.S. Morris
Community AME Church and participates in charitable runs and walks. Linda enjoys basketball, volleyball, tennis, bike riding, walking, caring for people and
playing with her granddaughter.
Lilada Gee is an inspirational speaker, minister and author with a powerful and creative message of wholeness and empowerment, especially for women.
Lilada is the proud mother of Alexandra and Christian. She received a B.S. degree from the UW-Madison with triple majors in education, psychology and Afro-
American studies. She has over 20 years experience working with the Madison Metropolitan School District and Dane County Human Services. She is a co-
founder of the Nehemiah Community Development Corporation. She is now executive director of Women of Worth, a new initiative of Nehemiah. Lilada is also
an instructor with MATC, an ordained elder, a license minister and a certified trainer in women’s issues. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Lois McKnight was born and raised in Madison and is a mother, grandmother a sister and a friend to many. Her education includes Central High School,
MATC and UW-Madison. For over 25 years, Lois as been a musician for S.S. Morris Community AME Church. Her community work has always been to motivate
others. Her volunteerism, a job well done, springs forth from songs, storytelling, listening to elders and children and working in the community. Lois gives us the
gifts of the heart, love, kindness, understanding, sympathy, tolerance and forgiveness. She tells us she is getting older now and enjoys watching the result of her
hard work blossom.
Coralia Harn, a native of Panama, has been married to Max Harn for 45 years. Together, they raised Cora (Higgenbotham), Max Jr., Julie (Winzenried),
Jennifer (Patrello) and Tony who died in 1977. Coralia has been the owner of Stella’s Bakery for over 20 years. Her very own “Hot Spicy Cheese Bread,” of which
she has sold over 500,000 loaves, is unique to Madison although it is nationally renown. As an employer, she used her ability to hire and provide jobs to people
of color at a living wage. These opportunities gave former employees the ability to get experience and get better jobs in the Madison community. Coralia has
also found time to volunteer on the Boys & Girls Club’s board of directors. She is full of strength and peace and works diligently to remedy social injustice in the
Village.
Michelle DeBose, the mother of Jerrell and Sabrie, was born in Texas, but has lived in Madison for 23 years. She has a B.S. in nursing, a Master’s Degree
and a Ph.D. in education. Michelle has a radiant smile and recognizes that there is a need for humor in one’s life. She believes that mediocrity should be traded
in for diligence and a positive attitude. The Lord has blessed her with the gift to always put something extra in her work. She is the founder of the Witness
Project, a breast and cervical cancer education program. Michelle is also director of the African American Health Network. Her motto is “Good Health are for
US.” She is committed to reducing healthcare disparities and develops strategies to increase health care access for African American residents in Madison. She
is dedicated to promoting positive health outcomes in the Village.
Vurtis Williams is also a 2008 Mother Full of Grace Award recipient.
By Jonathan Gramling
African American women have been pillars of the African American
community since the dawn of slavery almost 400 years ago. As African
American men experienced the brunt of the oppressiveness of slavery and
segregation through the modern day disproportionate rate of incarceration,
African American women have had to take the lead in raising children and
often times be the breadwinner of the family. Through trial and tribulation,
they have held the African American community together and have been a
source of strength as the community has moved ever forward in spite of the
obstacles it has faced.
In recognition of the special role that African American mother have
played, the Friendship Chapter No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star established
the Mother Full of Grace Awards in 2002 to honor local African American
mothers who have played vital roles in the community. On May 2, the
awards program was held at Candlewood Suites in Fitchburg. Surrounded by
family and friends, eight recipients were dined and honored. The 2008
Mother Full of Grace Award recipients are:
African American women have been pillars of the African American
community since the dawn of slavery almost 400 years ago. As African
American men experienced the brunt of the oppressiveness of slavery and
segregation through the modern day disproportionate rate of incarceration,
African American women have had to take the lead in raising children and
often times be the breadwinner of the family. Through trial and tribulation,
they have held the African American community together and have been a
source of strength as the community has moved ever forward in spite of the
obstacles it has faced.
In recognition of the special role that African American mother have
played, the Friendship Chapter No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star established
the Mother Full of Grace Awards in 2002 to honor local African American
mothers who have played vital roles in the community. On May 2, the
awards program was held at Candlewood Suites in Fitchburg. Surrounded by
family and friends, eight recipients were dined and honored. The 2008
Mother Full of Grace Award recipients are: