Delta Jewels: In Search of My Grandmother's Wisdom

by Alysia Burton Steele

Inspired by memories of her beloved grandmother, photographer and author Alysia Burton Steele -- picture editor on a Pulitzer Prize-winning team -- combines heart-wrenching narrative with poignant photographs of more than 50 female church elders in the Mississippi Delta.

These ordinary women lived extraordinary lives under the harshest conditions of the Jim Crow era and during the courageous changes of the Civil Rights Movement. With the help of local pastors, Steele recorded these living witnesses to history and folk ways, and shares the significance of being a Black woman -- child, daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother in Mississippi -- a Jewel of the Delta. From the stand Mrs. Tennie Self took for her marriage to be acknowledged in the phone book, to the life-threatening sacrifice required to vote for the first time, these 50 inspiring portraits are the faces of love and triumph that will teach readers faith and courage in difficult times.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Inspirational

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't three pages into Delta Jewels before my eyes began to well up with tears. Alysia Burton Steele has created a book that is a remarkable mix of personal narrative, civil rights history and striking photography that make for a deeply effecting read. As a white woman there is much I don't know about African American history in this country, and Burton Steele's book makes for a gentle and thought-provoking primer on life in the Delta. While I purchased the book for my own personal collection, it would make for a terrific Mother's Day gift or introduction to African-American women's history in the US. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy immediately.

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very best books I have read this year. I happened to be at Walmart, and saw the book, but thought it said Delta Jews. I was wondered how this older black woman be on the cover of a book referring to Delta Jews, but as I kept looking,I see that it's about a group of older black women from the Mississippi Delta, and the price tag obscured the rest of the words. from the time I saw it, I wanted it. I checked the local library to see if they had it, and sadly, they didn't have it, so although I worked, I had to get up some change for it. I did get a copy, read it. Some of the stories, I was amazed. One of the lady who lost three of her children in a tornado, oh that hurt me. Some just made me cry. Of the lady who didn't know her mom, but lived with some people who she thought was her family. Or the other woman whose mom died at birth, she grew up, had some kids, couldn't feed them, until she went and got a neighbor to help her, how they came through for her and to this day, those kids, now grown talk about how that was the best meal they ever had. One lady spoke on not having problems with whites. I believe her because there are good as well as bad. I met a few who said they couldn't get cars from the local dealers but when they went to Memphis,TN,separate times, years apart, and they got the cars. WTH? One lady, she wanted her daughters to go to school, but since they wouldn't help in the sharecropping, they threw the family off the land, they moved to town and the girls as well as the lady herself finish college with them. I also noticed that some didn't want to tell their stories. Some were very open. One lady looked almost white, but was black and she spoke of the pain of not acknowledging your family in public to hide you was truly black. what a book! my only complaint on this book? It wasn't enough. It just wasn't enough. I wanted more.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This month has been one of reflection about loved ones I've lost and when I walked through B&N bookstore I saw this book. The cover appealed to my heart as I thought about my own grandmother (even though she didn't look like this beautiful lady). The title also struck a cord - Delta Jewels (I'm a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc) and I had to read it. Alysia Burton Steele discusses how much she misses her grandmother and how she did not take the time to photograph her more or even video her many interesting tales. I've thought the same thing about my loved ones.

She traveled to the Mississippi Delta and took the time to photograph, listen to stories, and honor others grandmother's in search of what she missed with grandma. The photos, stories and details of their lives are heartfelt. They sent me through the gamut of emotions. This would be a wonderful mother's day gift and inspiration for you to capture your own family history.

:::tears::::laughs::::smiles::::reflection::::

[Sherry Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oral history is natural history. I enjoyed this book for its authentic voices and experiences. The author was able to capture history in real-time. Black history is American history and should be embraced as such. Grateful I bought this book and read it. First-hand experiences from black women in the South are profound, gut-wrenching, and beautiful.

[Edmund Davis-Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet little book. I've read about half of it and gave it to a friend.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shallow, immature, dedicated. What a good editor could have done with these Delta Jewels. Maturity surely came. Stories that I recognize and need to be told. They have been no matter what.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had so much rich history. All of these grandmothers live in Mississippi, and some of them knew Fannie Lou Hammer as well as Emitt Till. An amazing read.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a jewel of a book!

Weaving the stories of her heritage with the culture of an earlier time the author shares in remembrance of her grandmother the life of the Delta Jewels.

Between the stories and the photographs you will be drawn to the life of the grandmothers of the south. Written in memory of her grandmother the stories are captivating and the photographs capture the elegance of the "mothers."

With tremendous photos and stories you won't want to miss this one.

[Read In Colour · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the elder's stories, but the author kept interjecting herself into the overall story instead of just letting their stories speak for themselves. I was interested in their stories, not necessarily how she came to find the elders and who introduced them to her. It just seemed like unnecessary filler. I would have happily given it a five star rating had the author not been such a distraction.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it commentary and stories didn't flow well with each other. It was a little choppy. Nonetheless, a worth while book and important book as well. I really enjoyed reading it and learning from these grannies.