By By LYDIA GRIMES – Features writer
The third entry in the series of the light of legacy is Sharon Brazile, daughter of Evelyn Brazile of the Boykin community. Brazile grew up in that community where she experienced a happy and rewarding childhood and upbringing, bound in strong Christian principles instilled by her mother and her church (Mt. Calvary Baptist Church).
She attended W.S. Neal High School and graduated with honors from the class of 1985. Brazile acquired strong interpersonal skills early in her life through role-play activities with her siblings and cousins. Through these activities, it became evident that she would emerge as the communicator, leader and decision maker of the group.
As she entered into a world that demanded much, she reflected on those days of fun and game and quickly realized that life had made a transition. Gradually, her role would change. She left high school with hopes and determination, inspired through a solitarian address given by her cousin Chrissy Poindexter, who challenged the class with &#8220The door is closing”
This suggested that once she walked through the doors of high school she would walk into a world that would present a multiplicity of life's challenges, and to be able to meet the challenges that a health care career would demand, she would need the skills that the profession required.
Therefore, the first door of opportunity was at Allied Technical Institute in Dallas, Texas, where she completed a program as a medical assistant. After which her journey led to Lawson State Community College where she received her associate degree in nursing and her bachelors and registered nurse degrees from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Ala.
In addition to this training, Brazile – inspired by her art instructor at Lawson State College, Stephen Walker - became a folk artist. Her paintings depict her childhood, family and community. Her most recent work of art is a tribute to her grandfather, Cleveland, titled &#8220Rescue by the Dozen”. She remembers his generous and supportive spirit in the community.
Brazile is an employee at Baptist Hospital in Birmingham as a charge nurse. She is responsible for making critical and major decisions for patient on the floor she supervises. &#8220I was sick and you looked after me” (Matthew 25:35) is a constant echo that strengthens her commitment and dedication.
Brewton and Boykin communities salute Brazile for her determination and persistence. She followed her own advice given to her classmates as they graduated from medical assistant school. Her challenge was to &#8220do whatever it takes to make your dreams a reality.” She stands as a beacon light for those who are also dreaming dreams that will lead to a life of service.
Black History Note
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, &#8220In a real sense all life is interrelated. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”
His message, injected new meaning into the vein of civilization through his non-violent approach to social change. Dr. and Mrs. King were truly history makers who left a lasting legacy to their children, the nation and the world.
(Editors note: Light of Legacy will run throughout the month of February to commemorate Black History Month by honoring persons of Brewton or with a Brewton connection).