Women's Focus - February 2008 - (Page 30)

Difference in the San dra ranki n “I usually laugh at myself, but when the children used to mimic the teacher (me) I had to laugh.They were really very good,” Making a Community “I feel that our youth and young adults, especially now, need encouragement and support with their educational and life pursuits,” says Sandra Rankin. “Most of my volunteer work centers around education. Also, I am engaged in activities that involve the political process.” Sandra Rankin has spent 37 years working in public schools, first as a classroom teacher, then a counselor, then as a school psychologist. “My mother taught in a one-room schoolhouse, and several aunts were teachers, but I really admired my second-grade teacher,” says Sandra. Now that she has retired from the school system, Sandra works as co-chair of the education committee and assistant secretary of the NAACP. “When I was young I went to NAACP meetings with my mother and played the piano. I remember separate seating at movies. We were only allowed to sit in the last five rows, so once my mother had us stand behind the back row to watch the movie. The NAACP attempts to represent persons that appear to have no other place to go. The organization often takes the lead role in speaking up for the community,” she said. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she volunteers at Spaght Elementary School and is chairperson for the Fashionetta Gems (escorts). She also supports the African American Parent Support Group and works with the Wichita Alliance of Black School Educators. Her dedication does not stop there. As a member of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church Women’s Missionary Society and Lay Organization, she says that she uses prayer and perseverance, treating others like you wish to be treated – with humor and insight. Sandra knows the value of humor in life. “I usually laugh at myself, but when the children used to mimic the teacher (me) I had to laugh. They were really very good,” she admits. Just like the women she admires, Sandra goes out of her way to do thoughtful things for people in a nurturing yet professional manner. i n d u l g e y o u r s e l f • Wo m e n s F o c u s . c o m • F E B R U A RY 2 0 0 8 30 http://www.womensfocus.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Women's Focus - February 2008

Women's Focus - February 2008 Contents Ask Dick & Jane Romance Versus Reality Valentine’s Day—A Single Girl’s Survival Guide Habitat For Humanity—Women Build 2008 Body Beautiful Knightley Reading 12 Months of Shoes Sierra’s Stars City Culture Day Tripping: Hesston, Kansas In Her Shoes—Dr. David Rosen Tokens of Affection for Him & Her Making a Difference in the Community Forget-Me-Not—Sara Paretsky For the Love of Dance—Miss Diane Gann Wichita’s Next Top Model Contest Love Gardening? Join the Club! Indulge Yourself Yoga for Two Workout Journals When “No” Means NO! Something to Smile About A Romantic Valentine’s Dinner for Four Crafts: Bee Mine Valentine Social Circle Save the Date

Women's Focus - February 2008

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