Women’s History Month’s Feature: Bebe Moore Campbell, Author, Journalist, and Teacher

Hello book
lovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present to you
author, journalist, and teacher, Bebe Moore Campbell. She graduated from
University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary
education and was an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She was
also a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) and a
founding member of NAMI-Inglewood.

Her fiction
works tackled racism and its harmful effects on individuals and their
relationships. In 1992, she released her first novel, Your Blues Ain’t Like
Mine which drew inspiration from the murder of Emmett Till in 1955. The
New York Times Magazine described it as one of the most influential books
of 1992. Her second novel, Brothers and Sisters was inspired by the
Rodney King beating and the Los Angeles riots that ensued. In 1994, within two
weeks after its release, it was named The New York Times Magazine best
seller. 

In 2003, she
wrote her first children’s book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which
won the NAMI Outstanding Literary Award. Her book 72 Hour Hold dealt
with mental illness and her first play, Even with the Madness which debuted
in New York City in June 2003 dived into the theme of mental illness and the
family. 

She was also a
journalist having written articles for The New York Times Magazine, The Washington
Post Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, and many more publications.
Additionally, she was a commentator on the National Public Radio (NPR) program,
Morning Edition and was known for her inspirational sayings. Although
she is gone, she will definitely not be forgotten for the trailblazer that she
was (1950 – 2006). 

Writing Tip: I will focus on Bebe Moore Campbell’s interest in mental health and her exploration of this theme in her literary works. It’s important that writers who are passionate about a cause or an issue to explore them in their writings. 

Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com

Deliah Lawrence Attorney, Author, Blogger, Workshop Facilitator

Deliah Lawrence is a Maryland-based attorney and award-winning author of two romantic suspense novels (Gotta Let It Go and Gotta Get It Back) set in Baltimore. She’s also a blogger and workshop facilitator who writes poetry and short stories.

When Deliah isn’t writing, you can find her reading a book, indulging in her addiction to investigation discovery shows; or painting her yet-to-be exhibited oil artworks of landscapes, portraits or whatever else comes to her creative mind. Constantly on the go, she is also a member of the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and Sisters in Crime.