BY: Terry Allen
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My mother, Betty Allen Douglas—the daughter of Lucille “Big Mama” Allen—understood that the true value of learning comes from putting it into practice. Knowledge and wisdom should guide our behavior; without action, they remain unused potential.
Mama Betty’s formal education was limited by motherhood, poverty, domestic violence and the cruel realities of the Jim Crow South. But her circumstances never limited her intelligence, determination, or vision for her eight children. She taught us that we were as good as anyone else and that our present location was never our final destination.
Mama rose above every obstacle placed in her path: domestic violence, limited employment opportunities, financial hardship, and restricted access to higher education. She transformed those struggles into motivation for her children.
Once, she took us to pick cotton for four hours. It was not punishment—it was a powerful lesson. She wanted us to understand the difficult life that Lucille ‘Big Mam” allen and she had survived and to recognize that education, discipline, and hard work could carry us farther.
Mama Betty taught us that wisdom is more than knowing facts. Wisdom combines experience, sound judgment, empathy, faith, and the courage to apply what we have learned.
Her lessons produced managers, entrepreneurs, accomplished educators, global ministers, award-winning professionals, Employees of the Year, and nationally bestselling authors. Her children learned to reach for stations in life that she could imagine, even when she could not access them herself.
Today, my siblings and I salute Betty “B.A.D.” Douglas. Mama, we got the message: show up, rise above, and show out. Thank you for turning your wisdom into our purpose.
Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and – Vice President at FocusPR, founder of the charity City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org
