Last week during Alabama’s Senate election, many stories came out which showed the commitment of individuals in exercising their Constitutional right to vote. But there was one story in particular that touched my heart.

It was the story of a lady, who is an everyday citizen, quiet and unassuming, yet making a tremendous difference in the lives of people in her community. Her name is Perman Hardy. For the past 25 years, this 59 year old former sharecropper has made a difference in Lowndes County, Alabama. What does she do? She drives people to the polls. And this past Tuesday, she drove 50 people, who would have not gotten to vote on that day. Click on the link to see her story. (all quotes in this blog, taken from raw story article)   https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/former-sharecropper-spent-most-of-election-day-in-alabama-driving-voters-to-the-polls-and-has-for-the-past-25-years/

She profoundly is making a difference in her corner of the world because she is one of the few, in today’s world, that backs up her words with actions. When asked why she does it, she said, “At the end of the day, it allows me to look myself in the mirror”. How many of us do the same and are pleased with the reflection we see looking back at us? How many of us attempt to make differences in ways that could have an impact? Those impacts do not have to be major, but just a small difference. How many of us have those regrets and thoughts of wishing we had?

Miss Perman Hardy states “Everybody’s got a purpose and God made me a person who goes out and serves the public and serves the community”. What is your purpose? Have you searched the heart of God and waited to hear what His calling is on your life?   She did.

This world needs a boatload more of Perman Hardy’s. She believes too many have fought for the right to vote. Too many have paid a high cost for that right. We have but to look back at the struggle for voting rights and those who were denied for so long and that motivates her to get out and help ensure those rights will be exercised.

I challenge each one of us, myself included, to be more like Miss Perman Hardy. She is my hero, reminiscent of Miss Fannie Lou Hamer, both strong women making a difference in their own way.

I believe that never before, since the days of segregation and Jim Crow, has there been a need to fight to ensure the rights of people of color. With the outcome of Tuesday’s Alabama election, I do believe black women are going to be seen as a threat more now than ever, for the world has now seen our power.  So as we go forward, I believe we are going to challenged, attacked, and deterred by the powers that be.  I believe, and this is vital,  that our power has always been in the fact that our matriarchs have been strong women of faith.  The power of prayer is not to be underestimated.  Whatever avenue you choose in fighting the fight, bathe yourself in prayer, seek God’s direction and boldly go forth.  We need foot soldiers to keep on doing the work. If putting people in your car, is not what you are called to do, make phone calls, write your Representatives, send out mailings, attend rallies, or just promote hope. 2018 elections are coming. There is a lot of work to be done. Be a Perman Hardy in your corner of the world and ask yourself what kind of difference can you make.  And when you look in the mirror, at the end of the day, be pleased with your reflection and know in your heart that you have done all that you can do.