SISTERS HONOR MOTHER WITH ARTISTIC WORK AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
SISTERS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN WRITERS IN NEW JERSEY
"Do I raise my daughters to marry a teacher, a doctor or a lawyer, or do I raise my daughter's to become the teacher, the doctor or the lawyer," Itasker Thornton says in a tribute written by two of her daughters, Dr. Jeanette Thornton and Dr. Rita Thornton.
And thus, the stage was set for the Thornton sisters' performance before nearly 1,000 participants at the Annual Dr. Carroll F. S. Hardy National Black Student Leadership Conference. Dr. Jeanette Thornton and Dr. Rita Thornton shared their titillating experiences in the medical, legal and entertainment fields.
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Their discussion and performance explored the sacrifices their mother made to catapult them into careers that they say, "many women only dream about." The sisters toured the country in the 60's and 70's an all-girl jazz and dance band before Jeanette began a medical career and Rita entered the field of environmental law. Their other sisters are also accomplished professionals.
The book upon which the performance was based is entitled, "A Suitcase Full of Dreams: The Untold True Story of a Woman Who Dared to Dream." The book explores their youth from their mother's perspective, lending voice to her by writing in narrative form. Their book was a direct response to their sister Yvonne's book, "The Ditchdigger's Daughters," which focused heavily on their father, while mostly ignoring their mother's contribution.
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Perhaps the most fitting tributes the sisters made to their late mother were the foundation and publishing company they founded. "Dream," was published by The Thornton Sisters Publishing House, which was founded to ensure the silent struggle their mother endured would not continue to be ignored.
They also joined with their other sisters to create a Foundation to provide college scholarships to women of color. Because of Jeanette and Rita Thornton's mother's love and inspiration, many future students will be able to earn the college education that eluded her.
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