So for the last few weeks I have been BEYOND STRESSED. And it was completely “so-called ruler of the united states (SCROTUS)” work related.
Because of the Muslim Terrorist ban (that bans ZERO people from the countries where terrorists have so far resided) I had been internally screaming/worrying that one of my researchers wasn’t going to be let back into the country. She went home to her family in her primarily Muslim country while Obama was still our President and was due to return AFTER y’all’s (NEVER MY)president called all Muslims terrorists except for the countries where he has business dealings, but I’m sure that’s coincidental.

I can’t even tell you how low-key (and HIGH KEY) stressed some of our researchers (and the people who employ them) were/are. We got an e-mail from the higher ups requesting that maybe some of our international researchers should chill on travel until this was all straightened out.
Relatedly: I gotta say it’s nice to know that my place of employ understands that this is upsetting, and provided some recommendations to help relieve their concerns.

ANYWAYS. The other day I ran into said researcher in the breakroom.
And I was VERY excited to see her.
I mean…not excited enough to show emotion, because that’s not my jam
but I *DID* let her know I was glad to know she made it back safely.
[And by safely, I meant AT ALL]

I mean, these researchers are kinda like my kids.
I make sure they care of the things they need to take care of that aren’t research related because researchers are only interested in research not making sure that all their paperwork is turned in on time. AND I smack them around when they sass me. I’m kidding. They know better than to sass me.

Also. I’m not really in charge of them*
But I could be one day.

Because of Mary Frances Berry, Birthday Girl.

Berry attended Nashville’s segregated schools, graduating with honors from high school and attending Fisk University in Nashville. She transferred to Howard University, where she received her bachelor’s degree. [whew. Come THROUGH, HBCUs!] Following this, Berry studied at the University of Michigan, received a Ph.D. in history from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Berry spent the next six years working at the University of Maryland, eventually becoming interim provost of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences. In 1976, she became chancellor of the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, the first black woman to head a major research university.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. She also:

1. Took a leave of absence from the University of Colorado when President Jimmy Carter named her assistant secretary for education in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (1977).
2. Returned to Howard University as a professor of History and Law. (1980)
3. Was appointed to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, where during her tenure, she became involved in legal battles with Ronald Reagan, INCLUDING keeping her seat when Reagan attempted to remove her from the board. ( Sally Gates, are you listening?) AND banging on fellow African American Clarence M Pendleton Jr, when he tried to fall in line with Reagan’s social and civil rights views that pissed off the liberals and feminists. (Checks the date. MAN, y’all Republicans been pissing off liberals and feminists for a long ass time)
4. Co-founded the Free South Africa Movement, dedicated to the abolition of apartheid in South Africa. (1984)
5. Took a tenured chair at the University of Pennsylvania, while continuing to serve on the Civil Rights Commission. (1993)
a. She was also appointed chair of the Civil Rights Commission by President Bill Clinton, who reappointed her for another term in 1999.
6. She also wrote NINE books. (When the hell she have time to do that?! I can’t even get these effing facts out on time.)

And unlike Frederick Douglass, she’s still alive! According to her website, “As Berry continues her research, writing and activism, she insists that each generation has the responsibility to make a dent in the wall of injustice.”

Guess that means we better get crackin’!

*No. I’m not in charge of them. But let’s face it, you never want to be on the wrong side of the person who makes sure you get paid.