WONder Woman Kelly Garrett Honored by Women Officials Network (video)

WONder Woman Kelly Garrett Honored by Women Officials Network (video)
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 5, 2015)
“What would I say to Kelly Garrett 20, 20 and 5 years ago? The one thing I would tell her is to keep your integrity. Never compromise. Make sure that you have such good character that if someone ever did talk about you, no one would believe it because your character is so impeccable.
“I would also say that you make sure you love everybody unconditionally. It doesn’t matter if someone likes you or not. It is not your job to make them like you. Your only job is to love, unconditionally.”
The advice she would share with her younger self is exactly what has helped Lathrup Village Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Garrett become successful in the world of business and politics, as well as to be a role model for young women.

“What we do for our communities is important, but I think one thing I think is important is what we do for girls, what we’re doing for women. I follow my passion – that’s what it is,” she said. “It’s not so much that I need to be a mentor or I need to be a role model. What I need to do is demonstrate to young women what it means to be a woman. I don’t need to tell them, I need to show them.”
Garrett was honored on April 30 by the Women Officials Network as one of five WONder Women. She was introduced by her aunt, the Honorable Cathy Garrett, Wayne County Clerk.
She spoke briefly about the accomplishments of her niece, including that she has a Master’s Degree, is the divorced mother of a 15 year old son, and is an elected official. Garrett is also the Vice President of the Southfield Lathrup Optimist Club, active in many Southfield Schools activities, the Sickle Cell Anemia Association, Mothering Justice, and the Family Centered Care Advisory Council at Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
But, as her aunt asked, “Who is the person standing behind that bio?”
“I think she was about six years old and she was being babysitted by her uncle,” she said. “Kelly was due for a spanking, and her uncle, who was 15-20 years her senior, proceeded to spank her. She said ‘Do you want to talk about this first?” So we knew there was something going on with her…
“It is with great pride that I’ve watched that little six year old that negotiated a spanking evolve into a strong and dedicated, committed social justice fighting [woman] on the front line in all of our social issues.”
Five women were added to the ranks of WONder Women, and their stories will be added over the next few days:
Anne Doyle
Sheryl Mitchell
Ann Heler
Kelly Garrett
Nanci Grant
For more on the Women Officials Network go to http://www.womenofficialsnetwork.org/.
For the 2014 WONder Women go to: https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/05/01/wonder-women-recognized-for-changing-the-world-video/

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