January 9, 2010 ~ 12:30-1:45 PM
She credits her ability to succeed to the grace of God, and having the blood of
Booker T. Washington running through her veins, although growing up she did not
recognize either. When giving talks, Sarah often parallels her story of
overcoming tremendous obstacles, with that of her great-grandfather's story of
rising above his circumstances as a former slave. She refers to her earlier
years as her own personal "Up From Slavery" story.
Against tremendous odds Sarah graduated from public high school in Oakland,
California, six months ahead of her class, despite living on her own as a
teenage mother, and having the responsibility of raising her son alone in a
high crime, drug infested housing project in East Oakland, way on the other
side of town from her high school.
While growing up, and for most of her adult life, Sarah did not fully
understand the significance of her great-grandfather's work. It was not until
she first stepped foot on the campus of Tuskegee University just ten short
years ago, that she realized the extent of her incredible lineage, and her life
began to transform dramatically.
"When we arrived on campus, students, staff, news reporters and community
leaders were all there to welcome us. They were awe-struck that direct
descendants were still alive, and I was awe-struck that they cared so much.
I was amazed by the original buildings that still stand today—built by
hand, brick by brick, by Washington and his students—all former slaves, using
bricks that they made." -Sarah O'Neal Rush
This session is sponsored by:
Kansas City Kansas Community College