As a young boy me and my younger sister Denise were taunted by the girls who would do cheerleader steps on the block. As they sang the words ” I saw when she took them off that floor said open that door “ Not as if they were intentionally singing to us but, as I would learn later in life the phrase ” Art imitates life”. The eighties bred a new movement of women different from the decades prior. The battle of the sexes; women were no longer expected to stand behind their husbands. No more Ester Rolles character from ” Good Times”. My mother probably was inspired by Dolly Parton, Lilly Tomlin, and Jane Fonda characters from the movies 9 to 5. A Navy supply analyst was her regular day to day occupation. I guess with two children and no husband that was n’t enough money so, she enlisted as an Army reservist. Honestly, those women playing their fictional characters could n’t hold a candle to my mother’s toughness, resilience, or her endurance.

Here’s a dose of medicine from the bottle they call Life’s Harsh Reality. As I watched my mother come from summer camp. After marching in the sun for hours her small body was exhausted and dehydrated, literally fainting in front of my eyes. Wearing the same combat boots that I spit shined for her. “What a Way to Make Living “Still a boy without the muscle or backbone to pick her up. I would watch my male family members pick her up and place her on the couch on multiple occasions. As they gave me a look to say “This is what she is doing for you and your sister.” Being both the man and woman of a household came at a high cost. My mother wore her Army boots way before Hollywood began to shine a light on women in the armed services like movies Private Benjamin or G.I. Jane. My mother, a beautiful woman, could have easily tried to settle for being a trophy wife that’s never been in her nature.

Annie Moss -Perkins has alway been an active role model for the community. I would bewildered how in aww the girls I dated in high school would be so intrigued by my mother’s self-empowerment. My view often saw her at times as overprotective, overbearing, stubborn, and close minded. I did n’t quite see what those young ladies admired. Was it because of her physical beauty, her taste in fashion, or because she drove a big Cadillac. She’s both hardcore and feminine at the same time I didn’t quite get it then. What was so special about my momma? What I knew from 1st hand experience is this women is and will always be ” One tough Cookie”. As a female entrepreneur since the 1980’s when she purchased her 1st rental property with my grandfather it has been her personal business model to provide affordable housing to single mothers and seniors in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. As a community activist she has been on the front line of the gentrification process heading the Olde Kensington Assoc.

I have witnessed my mother attend town halls and host meetings in the family’s store front part of the apartment building. To ensure the once post- industrial manufacturing community she grew up in which is prime real estate a hub for urban development. The buying out of residents and, old tab factories not only changing the physical appearance of the neighborhood. Also the faces that were once familiar in it. Sitting in on these meetings I watched her as she pressures the developers to include hiring of personnel from the neighborhood. Inorder to put finances back into the community where property taxes have been said to quadruple and, rent has double and tripled. Yet, she maintain as one of the lowest most affordable rental property in the area. Ms. Moss continues to be an example for the younger generation volunteer at rec.ctr.a role model in’ the community she has proven herself as someone you can trust and count on.” Tweety” as she is lovingly referred to by her childhood friends who have survived the transition and, still in the community. My mother’s accomplishments go behind just her military service achieving the rank of Master Sgt. 1st Class her full dress uniform is indication of her accomodation even Bill Murray would salute her “Stripes”. At one point she was the highest rank N.C.O. African-American female in Pennsylvania. Attaining the level of E-8 in the military & GS-11 in the government. as a civilian for the Navy as well as a Army reservist. I myself have never served but, l’ve attend two different military academies. Valley Forge & Georgia Mil. Academy where I earned my associates degree. This is consider to be a very honorable accolade.Yeah my mother is bad azz!

What has moved me most about her is that she been forced to make changes in her own core values. She has told me if you ever go to jail you’re on your own. Believe me l’ve heard it all my life and she meant it every time she said it. What if I was falsely accused of a crime? Railroad by the criminal justice system by use of police, prosecutorial misconduct and judicial abuse of discretion.

What would my strong African -American mom who believes so much in the system that has provided her with merits and accomplishment do? No need for the cliffhanger that what the book for. I let judges know now this woman has been my strongest support financially, emotionally, and has sponsored the web-page that it will be posted on. Although she has never spent time on a battlefield she is on the front line on the fight for justice. In a criminal justice that has undermined her, called her stupid, ignored her declaration statements and police reports. This is what America does to its military veterans? Her courage, dedication, and loyalty is not only worth nomination, it’s publicity. My momma is not only a woman of valor she has raised a stand up son. And I’m I letting the world know In very proud that my momma wore army boots and, I would spit shine them every day of the week for her if she gave the order.

Twenty- One Gun Salute!