The threads of our lives

I recently met with a filmmaker who is doing a film about African American girls and sports, and wants to include PowerPlay. Somehow she found out about us, and wants to weave us into her film.

She was curious to hear the ‘story’ of PowerPlay….why black girls? What is PowerPlay’s role serving girls today? What does the future hold for the organization?

I relaxed in my chair, took a deep breath and just began speaking, curious myself to see what would come out.

Perhaps because PowerPlay is now 20 years old, or perhaps because I am 20 years older now, I can see things differently than when I was launching it and building from the ground up. I can now see that there are three powerful threads from my own life and history that influenced me to create this organization.

The first thread is from my mother, a trailblazer who defied the gender role expectations and limitations of her era. Not only did she graduate from Radcliffe College in 1948, but she went on to get her J.D. from Penn Law School in 1952, and became an attorney. She was always an independent professional woman, using her brain, writing and analytical skills. This is the thread of independence.

The second thread is from my grandfather, Sam, a rabbi who believed in social justice, equality and education. He visited congregants door to door, at a time when that was not a thing that rabbis did. He cared about all people. This is the thread of connection.

The third thread is from both of my parents, who were union lawyers, advocating for the rights of working men and women and the unions that represented them. For 50 years, they focused on protecting workers in matters of employment and labor law. In essence, they fought for the little guy. This is the thread of equity.

After my time speaking into her camera, I was better able to understand these three threads, and how they were woven together and led me to create PowerPlay NYC. What are the threads of your life and where are they leading you?