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A PRODUCT
OF MY CHILDHOOD VICES!
Hello again! Dr. Claudia Hearst Curry here, the second eldest child of Thelma B. White Hearst
and the late Rev. James R. Hearst, III. Born in the late 1940s, my journey began at 714
North June Street in the Millcreek section of town. I remember clearly, spending early Saturday mornings scrubbing
the four widest cement steps I have ever seen with a scrub brush and borax cleanser. (Is this why I can't grow
fingernails?) Fortunately for my poor hands, we moved when I was seven years old to 896 N. Farson Street, in
the heart of West Philadelphia famous for the "49th & Hoopes Street Gang." When we moved from June Street, I missed
sharing watermelon and those $.10 biscuits with my childbhood buddy and dear mid-life sistah-friend Vivian
Marshall Drayton.
Growing up as one of 10 children was a challenge. I call it, "Lessons in Leadership." Lots
of diaper changing, mixing baby formula, babysitting on the porch, watching the younger ones at those boring Masonic
picnics, pulling the red wagon from the Armory after standing in line for surplus food, running after Yvonne when she roamed
from Farson Street, sharing my Trick or Treat goodies, and sitting in the dark whenever it rained.
Lest I forget popping string beans with my maternal Grandmom Luetta, choking on spam sandwiches,
managing the taste of powdered eggs and milk, thick surplus cheese sandwiches, mayonnaise sandwiches, (at the hands
of my oldest brother James), the dreaded pumpernickel bread, sharing bath water, and fighting to keep my siblings
from grabbing the neckbones off my plate. And how can I forget the overcooked ocra!!! Oh, where
have the good ole' days gone?
"Bookworm" was my other middle name and I loved going to school. When my mother could not find
me, I was known to be "hiding out" in a corner on the 2nd floor of George's Library at 52nd and Media Streets. Several
brothers (who shall remain nameless) were always socking me for taking their toys apart. I just wanted to see how things
were made. Somehow, I always managed to put them together again. My sisters were always annoyed by
my singing...especially at night when they were trying to fall asleep. My mom would come into my room and sock
me a few times. But when she left the room, I would sing my heart out with my head buried under the blanket.
My dad snored so he could not hear all of the ruckus.
Me today? I am a grateful product of my childhood vices. I am still a
bookworm and love to read. I love education so much that I enrolled in a doctoral program in 2002. Do I still
take things apart? Yes, no, maybe so. But I am known as an innovator and a visionary leader. Each job
that I have been blessed to have, has resulted in my building a program or organization such as the Urban League of Philadelphia
Leadership Institute (1987 to 2000) and the Community College of Philadelphia Women's Center (2002 to the present). No,
I have not stopped singing. As a Concert Solosit and a member of the 1st Soprano section of the Mount Carmel
Baptist Church Choir, music is my ministry, a source of comfort, and a way of transforming into whatever God wants me to be
while flexing my diaphram and making full use of my "head voice."
West Philadelpia High School is my alma mater...anxiously awaiting the 45th reunion. I earned a Doctor
of Education in Educational Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware I also hold
a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University in
St. Davids, Pennsylvania.
Kamea Francene Curry, my only child, is a 2007 graduate of Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg,
Pennsylvania where she earned a Bachelor of Science in American Sign Language/English Interpretating. To watch her communicate
with the hearing impaired is like seeing poetry in motion. Kamea has been published in the Anthology of Poetry
by Young Americans. She plays piano, sings Alto, is an avid choreographer and MIME (interpretive dancer), and has
won awards for her artisitc endeavors.
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| My nine siblings and me in our youth |
This picture was taken iin the early 1960s. Do you know us? If so, try your luck
at identifying each one. My siblings are James Robert Hearst, IV(Buster), the oldest boy; Sidney Hearst; Rev. Dr. Stanley
Hearst, Sr.; Dante Charles Hearst; Robert Wayne Hearst; Charles Willie Hearst; Deborah Stella Hearst Purnell; (Debby), Jamesina
Renee Hearst (Penny); and Yvonne Eva Hearst Smith (Tinkerbell). Have fun trying to match the names to the faces!!!!! And
in all fairness to the others, my nickname is Babesis (uggghh!). As the story goes, James could not pronounce my name
as a young boy...so he walked around yelling, "Babesis!" Yes, James. I have forgiven you (smile).
Incidentally, my mother calls us by numbers. For instance, James is son #1, Dr. Hearst, son #3.
It's her great way of keeping up with us. When folks ask, "Where did you learn to be a leader?" I always respond
with, "I watched my mother manage the 10 of us and it wasn't easy." SHE DID A GREAT JOB!!!!
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