May 14: Black Women Everywhere Will Celebrate Mother’s Day

In Hampton Roads, some mothers will celebrate by attending the annual Mother’s Day Dinner at Taste and See, which is operated by the historic First Baptist Church-Bute Street. “We expect about 150 people,” said Elder Vanessa Turner, acting sales and marketing manager. “Last year, people told us the food was outstanding and the restaurant was tastefully decorated. A lot of sons bring their mothers. We take great care with everyone’s mother.”
Elsewhere, busy mothers nationwide will pause and celebrate the holiday. It was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Now, take a peek at some of the nation’s busiest mothers.

Beyonce and Blue Ivy – In March, the daughter briefly stole the spotlight from her famous mother when she wore a Gucci dress that retails for $2,100 to the premiere of “Beauty and The Beast.” The 5-year-old posed beside her mother who wore a $26,000 Gucci dress, according to news report.
Beyonce, 35, grew up in Houston and began her career as lead vocalist of the R&B group Destiny’s Child. She later established a solo career. She has earned five Grammy Awards and sold over 100 million records. Forbes listed her as the most powerful female entertainer in 2015.

Michelle Obama – The former First Lady, lawyer, and writer will celebrate Mother’s Day with her husband, Barack, and their two daughters, Malia and Sasha
Obama, age 53, is still active. On May 8, she continued her support of education since leaving the White House in January by participating in her fourth College Signing Day event in New York City. The event celebrates high school seniors who plan to attend college. “Get out there and use that education to give back to your family, your community and your country,” she said in a speech to graduates on “Good Morning America.”
On July 25, she will help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado by delivering a speech at the Pepsi Center. The Women’s Foundation works to propel women and girls from promise to prosperity through research, public policy advocacy and awarding grants.

Diana Ross – The famous singer will celebrate Mother’s Day with her five children and four grandchildren. 
Ross, 73, has Virginia roots. Her grandfather, John E. Ross was born in Gloucester County, Va. Ross began singing with friends as a teen in Detroit, and eventually formed the groundbreaking 1960s trio the Supremes. The 12-time Grammy nominee has been married twice. Most recently, Ross received the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Tracee Ellis Ross described her famous mother in an interview in The New York Times, “Well, my mom was very glamorous, but that was her work world. . . My mom is also really real, and I grew up with a mother who had babies crawling on her head and spitting up on her when she was wearing gorgeous, expensive things, and it was never an issue.”

Maxine Waters – The Congresswoman will celebrate Mother’s Day with her daughter, Karen Waters, her son, Edward Waters, and her two grandchildren.
Waters, age 78, has been a member of Congress since 1991. Raised by a single mother, she was born the fifth of 13 children in Kinloch, Missouri. She began working as a bus girl in a segregated restaurant when she was 13. She later worked in a factory.
Most recently, Waters a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, made headlines after she was interviewed by Fox host Bill O’Reilly. In a trademark quote, Waters once said, “This is a tough game. You can’t be intimidated by anybody. . .I’ve been in this struggle for many years now. We have to fight every day that we get up for every little thing we get. And so I keep struggling.”

By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor