During these times of turmoil for young Black males as well as others suffering the ravages of socio-economic discrimination and often believing there will be no end to the difficulties they experience, Dr. Hattie N. Washington’s Driven to Succeed underscores the value of “old landmarks” such as faith, family, and friends. As I read her excellent testimony, I recalled how I too had been raised on my elders’ telling of folktales, guiding us with sayings such as “a burnt child dreads the fire,” developing our appreciation of not only hard work but doing it well, and maintaining the valuable rural roots emanating from extended family life on farms in Virginia. If we would appropriate Washington’s 6 “lessons learned” for our children today, then many more of them would be “driven to succeed” in this troublesome twenty-first century. As Dr. Washington and other “Old Saints” might say, our children will learn “to carve stumbling blocks into stepping stones.”  Driven to Succeed is “testifying” at its best, only in book form instead of Sunday morning service!

“This is a must read book for anyone looking to learn about leadership and the power of love to inspire and motivate. Hattie Washington is an inspiration to us all. I have never met a stronger leader; she motivates and advocates with her passion; no one can ever say no to her, nor should they! We can all take a page out of her book: lead with your heart, and deliver results with your head- that’s Hattie! Once you read this book you will want more of her wisdom and love- so read it again!

“This is an inspiration! Dr Hattie Washington lived in a time where there were 2-room school houses and her Virginia county refused to desegregate! That time is in our lifetime bc I’m not that old! Reading her memoir is both a lesson in history, passion, endurance and survival. How Aunt Hattie was able to turn toward saving youngsters by opening those homes including her own for group homes is amazing. Bring your tissues.” Separate Text Message on July 13, 2015: “I adore you. I wish my kids and I had an Aunt Hattie. No kidding.”

“ ‘ …I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me’ (NKJV, Isaiah 6.8).” Just as Isaiah was willing to serve out of a desire to exalt God’s glory, Dr. Hattie N. Washington, known to many of us as ‘Aunt Hattie’, heard and responded to God’s voice when she first noticed the three young boys standing on the street corner in the middle of the day when they belonged in school. By faith, Aunt Hattie knew that God would equip her and prepare her for the task ahead as God’s calling flourished into a loving desire to help young men through the establishment of three foster group homes. Aunt Hattie’s gift for serving others is exemplified throughout ‘Driven To Succeed’ by faith, family and God’s favor and a testimony for all who hear God’s calling and say “Here am I, send me”.

Ms. Hattie: The Soul Toucher

Her kindness kindled the soul,

Her sense of dignity and brilliance

Permeated the classroom

Inciting logic and wit

That only a “thinker” could endure

She plunged forth in strident awe as though

Learning about God were all there was to life.

Her smile engulfed the hearts of her students

And evoked an intrigue for enlightenment.

O, the mystery of the Soul Toucher,

How well she proselytized us into believing

that all things were possible to the

“thinker” and the “doer”

She taught with providence

as she subtly glided about our gray matter,

uniting the hemispheres

so as to unite hearts

daring us to become

the sole proprietors of our destinies.