Tell Them We Are Rising: A Memoir of Faith in Education [Hardcover]

Ruth Wright Hayre (Author), Alexis Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0471126799 | ISBN-13: 978-0471126799 | Edition: 1

tell them we are rising

"The inspiring story of how one woman gave back."--Ed Bradley

"This is a heartwarming story about struggle, survival, and achieve ment. If we didn't know people like this in our lives, we would want to invent them. What more could one ask? A good story told with a deft hand."--William H. Gray III President, United Negro College Fund

"An inspiring account of an African American educator determined to make a difference in the lives of indifferent students."--Kirkus Reviews

"Tell Them We Are Rising is a wonderful, inspiring story of service, commitment, generosity, love, and hope. It is written with the humor, wisdom, and grace of a bygone era, yet spiced with the ultramodern savvy and the future-oriented vision of a twenty-year-old. What an extraordinary woman! What an extraordinary life!"--Chaka Fattah U.S. Representative (Pennsylvania)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In a "freedom school" in Atlanta after the Civil War, former Union Army general Oliver O. Howard, the school's benefactor, asked the students, "Now, what message shall I take back North?" One child, Richard Robert Wright, answered, "Sir, tell them we are rising." Three generations later, in 1988, that child's granddaughter, Ruth Wright Hayre, brought his response to life by pledging to provide college tuition for all 116 sixth graders from two elementary schools in Philadelphia. Hayre illustrates here her belief that a "key indicator for school success" is "the support and guidance of some significant adult," whether parent or mentor. She shares her joys and sorrows in recounting the experiences of the original 116 students during the six years in which she served as their mentor. This is a story of the belief that one person can make a difference. An inspiring account; recommended for most education collections.?Annelle R. Huggins, Memphis State Univ. Libs.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

African American educator Hayre recalls a story about her grandfather Richard Robert Wright (not the author), who as a slave child was asked by Union army officer General Oliver O. Howard (for whom Howard University was named) what message he should take back North. Wright replied, "Sir, tell them we are rising." That incident characterizes the Wright family history, which is underscored by a long line of achievers, educators, and community activists. In 1988, Hayre began work with students at two North Philadelphia elementary schools. Later, to honor her promise to give them a chance at college, she expended her personal finances to pay the tuition for 116 boys and girls. Readers will meet and learn about the struggles and successes of several students in Hayre's Risers program. She began the venture to give back to her community and its children her love, talents, and support. Ultimately, Hayre's charity is shown to serve not only the benefactor and her recipients but the common good as well. Lillian Lewis

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (May 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471126799
• ISBN-13: 978-0471126799
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,482,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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