Madame Ph.D. is an inspiring true story of of a black woman's journey from inner-city Washington, DC to become the first African American female to earn a Ph.D. in her field from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The author details how she emerged from a childhood full of challenges, such bullying and a broken home, to beat the odds and succeed in spite of her background, gender and the color of her skin.
The author provides a glimpse into major historical events in American history during the 1960's and 70's, such as the Civil Rights Movement, assassinations and riots, the Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal, in addition to the music, dances and styles of those times, through the brown eyes of a native Washingtonian. She also shares her triumphs, laughter, loves, and joys, in her quest to find happiness, by creating a life that matters, through perseverance, hope, and determination (PHD), a formula for success that she pens in "Madame Ph.D."
From the Civil Rights movement to attending HBCU life to romance, family, and education, Lacy chronicles it all in her powerful life story. The tone is upbeat, though Lacy frankly addresses challenges she faced, from “tough times, a broken home, bullying, and the mean streets” to being bullied by her peers who accused her of being smart and thinking she was better than them. A message of resilience powers the book: "I learned that no matter how smart you are or how hard you try to do the right thing, you will get knocked down and life will kick you around,” she writes. “When that happens, you have to pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and keep on walking.” Dealing with not only being marginalized for being Black, but also attempting to excel in a male dominated field, Lacy put that hard-won knowledge into practice, never letting setbacks and letdowns stop her from achieving her goals.
Fans of Black history, stories of Black excellence, and women making strides in male-dominated fields will be enthralled by Lacy's story of success. Full of transparency and nostalgia, with firsthand recollections of historical events such as the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Watergate scandal, Madame Ph.D. is the captivating story of a life well lived.
Takeaway: Rousing memoir of a trailblazer who always kept walking forward.
Comparable Titles: Elaine Welteroth's More Than Enough, Cynt Marshall's You've Been Chosen.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
I tried so hard to find a negative aspect of this book. In the end, I could not come up with any. I believe the readers would have a lot to learn, but most importantly, they can learn the fact that no height is unattainable if only one can persevere, have hope, and be determined. In consideration of everything I've mentioned and the fact that this book was sufficiently edited, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this book to everyone, especially young women who feel they can't achieve much as women. I also recommend this book to people that lack self-motivation. This book would serve as a motivation to people who are faced with issues that may discourage them on the possibility of achieving their dreams. 5 out 5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Author Shares Personal Story to Inspire Others to Reach Greatness
A Black Woman Who Earns a Ph.D. in her Field Attributes Success to Perseverance, Hope and Determination (PHD)
WASHINGTON D.C. – Every Ph.D. has a story, and author Gwynette Ford Lacy is no exception. Lacy shares her personal story of perseverance, hope and determination in her new book “Madame Ph.D.: Growing Up Black in DC and Beating the Odds.” As a young black girl struggling in inner-city Washington, D.C. she became determined to survive and succeed despite her background, gender, and the color of her skin.
“It is my hope to inspire and motivate girls and women to go after their dreams,” Lacy said. “You can accomplish anything you set out to do with perseverance, hope and determination (PHD), three words that I derived from the highest degree I hold.”
In the book Lacy discusses how she emerged from a childhood full of challenges to beat the odds and achieve a series of “firsts,” including becoming the first African American female to earn a Ph.D. in her business field from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The great, great, great granddaughter of a female slave, Lacy provides a unique perspective from living through and participating in major events in American history in the 1960’s and 70’s, such as the Civil Rights Movement, Watergate, and the Vietnam War. She also shares the triumphs she experienced along the way, including laughter, love, and joy, and how she created a life that matters.
“It’s not where you start in life,” Lacy said, “it’s how and that you finish the race that matters. Through my story, I hope to show that you can overcome the bad things and reach for the good things in life.”
“Madame Ph.D.: Growing Up Black in DC and Beating the Odds”
By Gwynette Ford Lacy, Ph.D., MBA
ISBN: 9781665713726 (softcover); 9781665713740 (hardcover); 9781665713733 (electronic)
Available at Archway Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble or contact the author below.
About the author
Gwynette Ford Lacy grew up in inner-city Washington, DC. And attended DC public schools. After graduating magna cum laude from Lincoln University, Oxford, Penn., marrying, and working as an auditor for the federal government, she earned an MBA and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She returned to DC and eventually became the first African American female Ph.D. to earn tenure and serve as Chair of the Department of Management of the School of Business at Howard University, and later, as the Associate Provost, while raising two children. Today she is an international management consultant, trainer, and motivational speaker.
To learn more, please visit https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/825572-madame-phd.
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General Inquiries:
Dr. Gwynette Ford Lacy
drgplacy@aol.com
(301) 442-7229
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See how one African American woman overcame her circumstances to earn a doctorate
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19 May, 2022, 00:00 ET
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Gwynette Ford Lacy, Ph.D., MBA, announces publication of 'MADAME PH.D.'
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A memoir by Gwynette Ford Lacy, Ph.D., MBA, "MADAME PH.D.: Growing Up Black in DC and Beating the Odds Nettie's DC Story of Perseverance, Hope, and Determination (PHD)" (published by Archway Publishing), shares the inspiring true story of an African American woman's journey from inner-city Washington, DC, to achieve professional success as a college professor/administrator, management consultant, and motivational speaker.
While growing up, the author overcame a broken home, relentless bullying, and an attempted sexual assault, to survive and succeed despite her background, gender, and the color of her skin. Lacy shares how she worked to become the first African American female to earn a doctorate in her field from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Big Ten research school. When she returned to the district, she eventually became the first African American woman to earn tenure and serve as chair of the Department of Management at the School of Business of Howard University, while raising a family.
Lacy wants readers to know, "That although you are a product of your background and how you were raised, you can rise above the bad and reach for the good through perseverance, hope, and determination. It's not where you begin, but where you end up that counts."
"MADAME PH.D." is available for purchase online at the Archway link above, from Barnes & Noble and on Amazon at: https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/825572-madame-phd
