The George and Melissa Lifford Hearst Family

Hello again! Dr. Claudia Hearst Curry here, the second eldest child of Thelma B. White Hearst and the late Rev. James R. Hearst, III. 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 sistah-friend Vivian Marshall Drayton.

Growing up 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 all-day 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 and the Community College of Philadelphia Women's Center. No, I have not stopped singing. As a Concert Solosit and a member of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church Choir and the Germantown Concert 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. I earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University in New Castle, DE. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA.

Kamea Francene Curry, my only child, is a May 2007 graduate of Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, PA where she earned a Bachelor of Science in American Sign Language/English Interpreting. 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.

This picture was taken on George's Hill in Fairmount Park. Do you know us? If so, try your luck at identifying each one. My siblings are James Robert Hearst, III (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!!!!