ALISON D. SPRINGER

Why is celebrating black history month especially important to you?

It’s acknowledging the human spirit within a race that faced inhumane crimes and are still standing. That’s a story of faith, adaptability, strength under control, hope, the will to live and love. Other races wronged have been compensated. When slavery was abolished slave owners were paid for their loss of wages, but Blacks have been denied any financial compensation. So, one month to acknowledge the achievements and advancement of Black people is an honouring tribute.

Tell us about a black woman who inspires you and why?

This past year, Harriet Tubman has been my inspiration. She was a woman of faith who said, ‘Enough’ to living in a system that believed she had little worth. With God’s help she escaped slavery to freedom in Canada. However, Harriet was not satisfied with her own personal freedom but wanted others to experience it too. Making 19 trips to the South, freeing approximately 300 people to Canada. A woman with a cause beyond herself.

ALISON D. SPRINGER - Founder & Director, Young Women of Power and Greater Than Communications | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Difference Maker Award ywop.ca