Susan L. Taylor, former editor-in-chief of “Essence” magazine was the guest speaker at an event honoring Women’s History Month March 15 at Winston-Salem State in the Anderson Center.
A near capacity crowd flooded the Dillard Auditorium in anticipation of hearing one of the nation’s premier African-American contemporary writers.
Taylor is also the author of “In the Spirit,” a collection of essays reprinted from her magazine column of the same name.
She is considered a key source of critical thought, inspiration, and encouragement for African-American women throughout America.
Taylor is credited with building “Essence” magazine into a world-wide brand.
As she approached the lectern, Taylor assured the audience that her conversation for the evening would remain candid.
“I’m looking in the mirror,” Taylor said.
Taylor addressed the disparity of African-American elementary school student’s scholastic aptitude test scores. She said they were below grade level and called for an increased involvement in the welfare of students.
“They are our responsibility.”
Taylor stressed the need for young people, particularly women, to take an active role in reshaping the world.
“Every generation needs to ask itself, ‘what am I doing here?'” Taylor said.
She said issues that society faces have the potential to be resolved if the female population exercised more authority.
“The world is out of balance…too much testosterone in there.”
The author’s personal testimony highlighted the theme for the evening.
From running a small family boutique in Harlem, to surviving a failed marriage, Taylor became one of the most successful women in American journalism history.
At the age of 24, a college graduate and a mother of one, she found herself financially and physically exhausted and in need of serious medical attention. Taylor checked herself into a New York City emergency room and was told her ailments were caused by acute anxiety.
“Your life speaks to you in phenomenal ways,” Taylor said.
She explained that her walk home from the emergency room prompted her to stop into a church on Broadway.
Feeling broken and hopeless, Taylor said she listened intently to the preacher.
That day, she recalled, was the day she found her inspiration.
“You have the power and the responsibility to create the life you want,” Taylor said.
From then on, she said her life took a new direction.
Taylor’s visit, hosted by the men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, appeared to have a positive effect on all who were in attendance, including Carlton A.G. Eversley, a professor of African- American Culture at WSSU.
“We should all look in the mirror and deal with self-empowerment,” Eversley said.