Goodbye to Roy Edelfelt, et al

Roy Edelfelt--A friend, a mentor, and much more--departed this life on July 7, 2015. The news arrived in my mailbox today as my brother is being laid to rest in Florida. It was overwhelming for a few minutes.

Many years ago, I arrived at the National Education Association (NEA) in Washington, DC. A very young woman from Screven, Georgia. This man along with few other men and women selected me to be on "their team." I did not know then what long lasting effects that team would have on my life, but as I look back today, I owe each and each one of them a debt of gratitude.

Margaret Knispel -- recommended me for Hire after Bernie McKenna decided to keep Lenore Robinson for his secretary. Roy signed the papers to make me permanent rather than a temp. Deceased

Dave Darland opened doors for me that had never been opened to Blacks at the NEA, and allowed me to exercise my brain. I made and produced my first movie before I was 25. It was used and viewed by state affiliate across the US. Dave once told me, had I not been Black, I would have moved up in the NEA more rapidly. Back then it felt terrible being tone of few Blacks on an otherwise White team. (That is not to say there were no other Blacks on the team, but there were few in the inner circle that were "the secretary." Deceased

Mary Heath took me under her wings and shepherd me into a position that taught me about numbers and budgets and finance, but it was Roy that gave me the opportunity to learn and grow from my mistakes. Deceased

Anna Hyer made me realize that being from Georgia was not a curse and that all White people did not hate or mistreat Blacks, and that the color of my skin did not matter but what was in my brain and how I used it did.

Bernie McKenna insisted on me being accurate and precise; do my homework before climbing out on a limb; back up each idea with facts, and then do not hesitate to move forward with it. He also helped me to accept who I was as a Black woman. He was the first of many males at the NEA that I wish could have lived to see today's society. Deceased

Of course, there were all of the other professional and clerical staff, but like me they were trying to rise to the top, and my success or failure was not part of what was on their agenda.

Margaret took my life personal. She gave me a baby shower at her home on M Street in SW DC. Dave Darland helped me purchase my first home in Mount Rainier when no one wanted to allow us to buy in Mount Rainier. Couldn't get financing. Bernie gave me books to read on management and pushed me toward classes to help me. Mary Heath made me work late into the night until I got the budget right and understood what I was doing. And Roy provided counsel, and leadership -- not in your face leadership, but good solid advice t that could be used at any time -- real open door policy manager.

All of these beautiful people are gone but will not be forgotten by me and the roles they played in my life. Thank you to all and bon voyage ROY, our last newsletter effort a couple of years back was awesome. THANK YOU.