Meet Thelma Scott!
Founder of BJE Thelma Scott (Left) with Great Day Houston Host Debra Duncan (Right)
Thelma Scott is a woman who makes you stare in awe of her tenacity and drive. A mother of 5 she told me that Breast Cancer is hereditary in her family and that she has a 95 year old aunt who is “Healed” (as she doesn’t use the word survivor) of breast cancer. Thelma’s own breast cancer is in remission. Instead of looking at her illness as a dark cloud or an escape from death, she thanks it and sees it as blessing as it lead her to discover her 501 (c) 3.
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but there are so many people that do not know that it is also DiversAbility Month” – Thelma Scott, Founder of BJE
Thelma was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March 1997. This made Mrs. Scott think of an inspiring woman whom she had met just a couple of years earlier; Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. Congresswoman Jordan told Mrs. Scott “whatever you are going to do, don’t procrastinate, just do it!”. Those words became so real as she began her fight to save her life. Little did she know she would have to come to grips with her own hidden disabilities: spinal injury, memory loss, learning disability, and other illnesses due to her choice of treatment (chemotherapy) for her type of cancer. With her new way of life, she experienced the personal challenges of living in a world that lacks compassion for people who are different. Thelma had to learn how to read, spell, and write all over again. After Congresswoman Jordan’s death, her quote stuck with Mrs. Scott while she was trying to learn how to live with a unique ability: “One thing is clear to me, we, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves”. Thelma Scott then founded Barbara Jordan Endeavors (“BJE”) on her wedding anniversary, December 26, 2000 with the unconditional love and support of her now late Husband Otis Scott. Empathy for her new found peers moved her to place her education on hold while she developed the program that would discover unique abilities in all disabilities. BJE helps students with unique abilities on the high school level transition from high school to college. It also provides needed resources for parents and family members. Additionally, the ambassador sector of BJE provides college scholarships (funded by sponsorships) to graduating and college level students. Paying it forward, those students return and volunteer to help mentor other students that come into the program after them.
Mayor Annise Parker (Middle) Awards Thelma Scott (Right) with the Disability Advocate of the Year (2012)
DIVERSABILITY:
Bell: Mrs. Scott thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to speak with me today.
TScott: Thank you, its an honor to have you guys interview me. This is an exciting time in my life.
Bell: The pleasure is all mine. Tell me about Oct. 12, 2013.
TScott: Oct 12th was BJE’s Kick Off event for our Historical 2014 DiversAbility 5k Walk Run and Roll! It is historical because no one in the nation has done an inclusive disabilities walk. They either walk for cancer, or, heart disease, or diabetes, or mental health, or MS, or Autism, but they have NEVER all walked together.
Bell: I can’t believe there has never been a DiversAbility walk. What aided you in coming up with the idea?
TScott: Because of our mission statement, we work with people who are emotional, mental, and physically challenged, which includes all disabilities. You know more popular diseases and disabilities have a month or share months; such as: February is Heart awareness month, March is MS and Kidney awareness month, and of course October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Well October is also national Diversity Awareness Month, and because some illnesses is not even recognized I decided to make October DiversAbility Awareness Month so that ALL disabilities would be recognized and have a month for awareness. We will be walking for one great cause, supporting people with all disabilities, and providing students with scholarships and services.
Bell: That’s an amazing concept and is so heart warming to know that you are touching so many lives. When does the actual walk take place, and how are you going to get everyone to walk together?
TScott: We held a kickoff to let everyone know about the walk on Oct. 12tg of this year. We are actually walking October 11, 2014 of next year. We are using all avenues to get the word out and let everyone know about the walk, that includes social media. We have had segments on channel 13, channel 11, and Fox 26.
Bell: Mrs. Scott thank you again so much for speaking with us!
TScott: My pleasure! I hope to see all of you guys out Oct. 11th walking with us for one great cause.
No stranger to accolades and awards, Mrs. Scott’s hard work landed a nomination for The White House Champion of Change Disability STEM Award, received Mayor of Houston Disability Advocate of The Year Award, received HISD Community Outreach Award, was Honored by PWI, received the Woman of Worth Award from TWEF, and many more.
Mrs. Scott also serves on the DARS RCT Council Board as a member appointed by the Governors Office. She is also an advocate for: TRAN (Texas Rehab Action Network), TALAC (Texas Advanced Leadership and Advocacy Conference), and Spring ISD Business & Community Advisory Committee.
For more information/sponsorships/donations please contact Barbara Jordan Endeavors by emailing: bjendeavors@att.net
Or visit: http://www.barbarajordanambassadors.org/