All Stories Matter - Marvinetta meets Wendy Fields

Updated 8 days ago

In this episode of "All Stories Matter," host Marvinetta Woodley Penn sits down with Wendy Fields, a fascinating guest from Kalamazoo. Wendy, who is the president of the local NAACP, shares her personal journey growing up in a diverse neighborhood and the challenges she faced during integration. She recounts her upbringing in a large family, her experiences with racism and bullying, and how these shaped her into a lifelong advocate for the underdog. Marvinetta and Wendy discuss the importance of storytelling and preserving our histories, as well as the impact of community programs on young women's lives. This heartfelt conversation sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of a remarkable woman dedicated to making a difference.

Chapters

Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:16)
Marvinetta Woodley Penn introduces herself and the podcast's mission to highlight the importance of personal stories.

Marvinetta Woodley Penn greets the audience and introduces her podcast, emphasizing the significance of personal stories as a form of documentation and the importance of owning one's narrative to prevent others from misrepresenting it.
Marvinetta's Belief in Purpose (00:00:39)
Marvinetta discusses her belief that everyone has a purpose and how she helps people find it through her company, Joy on Life's Journey.

Marvinetta Woodley Penn talks about her company, Joy on Life's Journey, which aims to inspire individuals to live their best lives by understanding and fulfilling their purpose. She expresses her belief that everyone has a unique contribution to make.
Meeting Wendy Fields (00:02:04)
Marvinetta recounts her first encounter with Wendy Fields and her determination to have Wendy on the podcast as a guest.

Marvinetta shares the story of how she met Wendy Fields in Kalamazoo after moving from Chicago. She describes Wendy as a fascinating individual and her efforts to get Wendy on the podcast after a long-standing desire to have a conversation with her.
Wendy's Background and Family (00:04:45)
Wendy Fields describes her upbringing in a diverse neighborhood in Kalamazoo as one of eight children.

Wendy Fields talks about her childhood in Kalamazoo, growing up as the third of eight children in a diverse neighborhood. She recalls starting kindergarten at four and the close-knit community where she lived.
Experiencing Racism in School (00:07:02)
Wendy shares her first experiences with racism when she was bused to a predominantly white school.

Wendy Fields recounts her experiences with racism when she was bused to a predominantly white school for junior high. She describes the fighting and tensions that occurred due to racial divisions, marking her first real encounter with racism.
Teaching in a Divided Chicago (00:08:46)
Marvinetta discusses her experience teaching in a racially divided Chicago school.

Marvinetta shares her experience teaching at a school in Chicago where students were bused from different areas. She talks about the racial divisions and how some teachers had low expectations for certain students, which she actively worked against.
Wendy's Trip to the South (00:13:45)
Wendy recounts a trip to Alabama where she experienced overt racism for the first time.

Wendy Fields tells the story of accompanying a friend to Alabama for a funeral, where she encountered overt racism at a country store. This experience was eye-opening and marked a significant moment in her understanding of racial issues in the South.
Van Avery Drugstore Boycott (00:15:53)
Wendy describes her parents' involvement in a boycott against a discriminatory local drugstore.

Wendy Fields talks about the Van Avery Drugstore boycott in Kalamazoo, where her parents participated in protests because the store refused to hire Black employees despite serving Black customers. The boycott eventually led to the store's closure.
Life in a Large Family (00:19:01)
Wendy discusses growing up in a large, close-knit extended family in Kalamazoo.

Wendy Fields describes her childhood in a large family with many cousins. She talks about the communal living experience and the close relationships within her extended family, which was a significant part of her upbringing.
Wendy's Advocacy Roots (00:21:45)
Wendy reflects on her lifelong role as an advocate for the underdog and her lack of a specific career aspiration as a child.

Wendy Fields shares how she has always been a natural advocate for the underdog, a role she embraced from a young age. Despite not having a clear career path as a child, she has consistently stood up for those who are bullied or marginalized.
Introduction to C Community Program (00:28:20)
The speaker introduces the C Community Education for Young Women, a program for pregnant girls at Central High School, offering OB care, parenting education, and daycare.

The speaker recounts the existence of a program called C Community Education for Young Women, designed for pregnant girls at Central High School. This program provided a comprehensive support system that included OB care, education on parenting, and even a daycare facility so that young mothers could attend classes while ensuring their children were taken care of. The program was praised for its excellence and its ability to provide holistic support to young mothers, allowing them to continue their education while also learning about infant growth and development.
Discontinuation and Impact of C Community Program (00:30:08)
The program was discontinued, impacting young mothers who lacked support and education about child rearing, as shared by the speaker's personal experience.

Despite its success, the C Community program was eventually discontinued, a decision the speaker criticizes, as it left many young mothers without the support and education they needed. The speaker shares a personal story of getting pregnant in high school and not having that advantage, with a mother who was unwilling to discuss pregnancy and child rearing, highlighting the gap left by the program's absence. The speaker reflects on the importance of such programs that provided critical support and knowledge, which were not available to everyone.
Introduction of Fathers and Changes in the Program (00:31:34)
The program evolved to include fathers, leading to challenges like conflicts among participants, which highlighted the complexity of integrating broader support systems.

Over time, the program changed to also include the fathers of the babies, which introduced new challenges. For instance, conflicts arose when a father was involved with multiple girls, leading to fights and other issues. The speaker expresses an understanding of the importance of educating men but feels that the program was not the right environment for such integration. This change in the program dynamics ultimately led to its decline and raised questions about how best to support young parents.
The Role and Evolution of the NAACP (00:36:39)
The speaker describes their involvement with the NAACP, its challenges, and efforts to restore credibility after a leadership crisis.

The speaker explains their journey with the NAACP, starting with being approached by a past president, leading to involvement in membership and eventually becoming the president. The organization faced challenges when the previous president was involved in misconduct, leading to a loss of credibility. The speaker, along with the executive committee, worked hard to turn the organization around, restoring its integrity and credibility. The speaker highlights the importance of the Freedom Fund banquets and membership as key sources of funding, as all positions within the organization are volunteer-based.
Challenges and Advocacy in Education (00:50:01)
The speaker, a substitute teacher, shares concerns about the current state of education and the lack of holistic support for students.

The speaker, who has a background in education and advocacy, reflects on their experiences as a substitute teacher and expresses concerns about the state of public education. They note that in the past, education was more holistic, with teachers providing support beyond just academics. Today, they observe a lack of engagement and support for students, with many falling behind. The speaker emphasizes the importance of teachers being able to recognize and address students' needs, as well as the need for more comprehensive educational programs.
Addressing Racial Discrimination in Schools (00:56:00)
The NAACP intervenes in cases of racial discrimination in schools, working with administrators to improve conditions and support students.

The speaker discusses the NAACP's role in addressing instances of racial discrimination in schools. They share examples of working with school administrators in Sturgis and Niles to address complaints of discrimination against Black students. The NAACP's involvement led to positive changes, with school officials being receptive to recommendations for training and documentation to better support students. The speaker highlights the importance of having open-minded and supportive administrators who are willing to implement changes to improve the educational environment for all students.
Accountability and Improvement (00:58:08)
Discussion on how parents, kids, and teachers are being held accountable, leading to improvements in behavior and graduation rates.

The conversation highlights a significant shift in accountability within the community. Parents, children, and teachers are all being held to a higher standard, resulting in positive changes such as increased graduation rates. The speakers emphasize the importance of holding each other accountable and speaking truth to power.
Superintendent Recognition (00:58:51)
Recognition of the superintendent for improvements and the strategy that supports these changes.

The discussion shifts to the recognition of the superintendent who has been awarded for his efforts in improving the school's performance. His strategy of holding everyone accountable is credited with the positive changes. The speakers express support for these strategies and note the importance of community backing.
Community Meetings and Involvement (00:59:38)
Monthly community meetings are highlighted as a platform for engagement and support in community matters.

The community's efforts to stay engaged and involved in local issues are discussed. Monthly meetings open to everyone are mentioned as a vital part of maintaining open communication and addressing community concerns. The importance of being involved and supporting the right causes is stressed.
Future Aspirations and Leadership (01:00:56)
The speaker shares personal aspirations for the future and reflections on leadership roles.

The speaker reflects on their personal future aspirations, expressing a desire to remain involved in community efforts while hoping to step back from leadership roles. The importance of supporting others who are working towards positive change is emphasized.
Building Relationships and Community Support (01:01:19)
Emphasis on the importance of building strong relationships and supporting each other in the community.

An important aspect of community work is highlighted: the need to build strong relationships and networks. The speaker talks about the importance of having direct lines of communication with key people and how these relationships help in advancing community goals. The focus is on collaboration and mutual support.
Upcoming Events and Community Engagement (01:02:23)
Announcement of an upcoming community event and the importance of keeping promises.

An announcement is made about an upcoming community fundraiser event. The speaker stresses the importance of keeping promises, reflecting on old-school values of trust and reliability. The significance of community events in fostering engagement and support is underscored.
Closing Thoughts and Storytelling (01:02:51)
Encouragement to share and listen to stories as a means of understanding and connection.

In the closing segment, the speaker encourages the audience to engage in storytelling as a way to connect and understand each other better. The power of stories to bring people together and the importance of listening are highlighted. The segment ends with a call to action for everyone to share and learn stories.