Clark Atlanta University - Panther Yearbook (Atlanta, GA)

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Student Life Shirlene Holmes There was nothing on the stage but a wooden chair and table. The stirring crowd began to grow impatient from curiosity. What shouid they expect? What was she going to show them; tell them? Their wait was over. To their amaze- ment. an old woman about 80 years old tor was she?i struggled across the stage and slowly squatted in the chair. She glared at her audience as her words fumbled around in her throat, Her guests, no longer impatient. contently sat back in their chairs to enjoy the peformance. At that moment. Shirlene Holmes began her creation of Ain't l A Woman Too. Holmes told stories of a life that 25 Maya 1933 THE YEAR IN REVIEW was not her own, but her words said otherwise. She was reliving the life of a woman whose past was totally different from hers, but Holmes' body movements said she had lived in the past. Entranced by her outstanding ability to capture the life of Sojourner Truth, members of the audience had no doubt in their minds that what Holmes was trying to say was yes she isa woman It may be hard to believe that Holmes is 24 years old after seeing her portray Truth. it may be even harder to believe that she has learned to apply her own make-up precisely and with much detail. Holmes said it took six to seven hours to apply her make-up. Before she became skilled enough to apply the make-up. she used the talents of a make-up artist. Ainit I A Woman A spiritual and inspirational in- dividual. Holmes used her childhood ex- periences, growing up in southeast Queens. New York. as motivation of her future. With a baccalaureate degree in English from New York College, Hoimes has written a number of informative pieces which have appeared in several community newspapers and magazines. She has also conducted a series of poetry workshops for York College. Presently, Holmes teaches basic acting for the Girls Club of New York. Holmes' unselfish manner has created a true uplifting spirit to those around her. Shirlene Holmes. producer of the one-woman play Ain't l a Woman T00 is committed to inspire and motivate and live in truth. As So- journer Truth put it, The Lord is my master and his name is Truth.

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