Brittany Washington
Simmons High School
High School Senior
Mississippi
Brittany1.washington@gmail.comAngelica Anderson: A community Angel
There is a phenomenal woman that lives in my neighborhood. I say this because she truly is the definition of help. Tears of terror streamed out of my cousin’s eyes as we both bolted down the alley to that woman’s house. The mix of fear and sadness on her face resembled that of a person who had seen the spirit of death. Just as many of the other younger girls in our town, she was pregnant. Too terrified to go home, she went to the only adult she could talk to who would most likely have a solution - Angelica Anderson, a helping entrepreneur. It means something when a person feels more comfortable going to someone outside of their family before they go to their own parents. Angelica opened her home to my cousin for a minute to calm down and process the situation. Later that day, Angelica helped my frightened cousin face her phobia of going home. She approached my cousin’s parents with raw and comforting sincerity. Angelica calmly explained the situation and provided a solution to the family problem. Surprisingly, my cousin’s parents were calm thanks to Angelica’s helpful advice. She also encouraged my cousin to finish school when she was on the verge of quitting. Now, my cousin is in college and her child is in the hands of a loving, adopting family. I remember her saying at graduation, “If I had not ran to Angelica’s house that day I do not know where I would have ran to or ended up.” That is only one example of how this community icon contributes to our neighborhood. Her acts of good deeds vary from helping at food drives to assembling community activities for everyone. It is very rare in my neighborhood that you see someone willingly lending a hand for free. Ms.Anderson truly is a blessing to our community.
Excluding the fact that Ms.Anderson is a college graduate, she could win any scholarship based on leadership and service hands down. There is ultimately no single category to place her in. She is a phenomenal woman who does it all for no pay. I asked her when she has time to rest. She replied, “I cannot rest when I know something is wrong around here. I just would not be able to sleep.” She also goes into her life story of how she and her parents interacted. I remember her saying, “All I ever got from my parents was a slap in the face. They did not help me get where I am. Even today, I highly doubt if they even care where I am in life. However, I would not trade those guys for anyone. They were there for a reason just as my life happened like it did for a reason.” She proudly patted herself on the back as she talked about this. In fact, the harsh love she received from them encouraged her to start a community group. She annually takes a select group of people out of state to see and explore new things. She also holds a workshop afterwards to teach people how to be emotionally independent. She stated, “Not everyone is out to help you. For me, the people that were supposed to be in my corner just could not be there at the time. It was in that moment that I realized I have to be in my own corner. I have to repeatedly try when I fail. I refuse to let the opinion or remarks of a stranger affect me.”
Angelica has done numerous things for a multitude of people. She is a pillar in our community. I asked her what she would say was the most generous thing that she has ever done for someone. She said, “There was a young gentleman I encountered once while substituting at a high school. For some odd reason he was cleaning his locker out. I asked was he moving and he said no. He said I’m just not coming back. I invited him over my house and let him meet my family. I remember telling him that not all people in the world are bad. Are those few bullies worth ending you chance to meet good people? He is still here and he visits me and my family every day. I feel connected to people of any type of struggle”
Speaking of struggle, Angelica was once homeless. She gazed off into space when I asked what motivated her to become successful. She said, “I had no choice. I ran away at age sixteen and no one came to find me. No one cared about my well being anymore than I did. I realized that when I was almost raped behind the dumpster that I was sleeping behind. I told myself no. I do not want to live like this. I went to a shelter and cleaned myself up. After that, I started the process of changing my life and ways”
Angelica’s last remark to me was, “I do it because somebody has to. People come to me with their problem and I try my best to solve them. I do not wish to be paid. I just want to help.” Angelica Anderson is a real estate agent from Dallas, Texas. She is also a social worker. Her work on and off the clock is truly life changing. She is definitely phenomenal in everything she does. Who wouldn’t look up to a woman of such high caliber?
Works Cited
Anderson, Angelica. Personal Interview. 9 October 2012.