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Watch Me Fly: What I Learned on the Way to Becoming the Woman I Was Meant to Be
The former chairwoman of the NAACP and widow of Medgar Evers recounts her struggles to become educated and raise three children alone
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
3 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Myrlie Evers-Williams
8 books15 followersnée Myrlie Beasley is an American activist. She was the first full-time chairman of the NAACP and is the widow of murdered civil rights leader Medgar Evers.
She twice ran for Congress from California's 24th congressional district. Both times (in a June 1970 special election and the general election later that November) she lost to Republican John Rousselot. In 1971 she helped found the National Women's Political Caucus.
In 1975, Evers-Williams married her second husband, Walter Williams. He died in 1995 of prostate cancer.
She is the author, with William Peters, of For Us, the Living (1967) and Watch Me Fly: What I Learned On the Way to Becoming the Woman I Was Meant to Be (1999). In the best seller, I Dream A World: Black Women Who Changed America, Evers-Williams states that she "greets today and the future with open arms".
She twice ran for Congress from California's 24th congressional district. Both times (in a June 1970 special election and the general election later that November) she lost to Republican John Rousselot. In 1971 she helped found the National Women's Political Caucus.
In 1975, Evers-Williams married her second husband, Walter Williams. He died in 1995 of prostate cancer.
She is the author, with William Peters, of For Us, the Living (1967) and Watch Me Fly: What I Learned On the Way to Becoming the Woman I Was Meant to Be (1999). In the best seller, I Dream A World: Black Women Who Changed America, Evers-Williams states that she "greets today and the future with open arms".
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 22, 2024
A remarkable book by a remarkable woman.
Some might know of Myrlie Evers as the widow of Medgar Evers, NAACP field secretary in Mississippi who was murdered in his driveway in 1963. A couple of movies have been made about Evers and of Myrlie's decades long fight to see his murderer convicted. I recently also learned of Evers-Williams tenure as chairperson of the NAACP int eh 1990s, taking over an organization that was struggle deeply with public controversy and immense financial struggles, and helped "right the ship" in less than 5 years. This book tells the whole story, how she grew up in Mississippi, met and married Medgar, the path toward a degree and a career after he died, and raising 4 kids along the way. It details her climbing the ladder in a couple of large corporations, and then her stint in city government in L.A. breaking a number of glass ceilings along the way. Myrlie called it an "instructive autobiography," and it is, as she mixes in her own personal lessons learned along the way. Parts of it definitely read like "advice from Auntie Myrlie."
One thing that noticed as a theme throughout the many chapters of her life was her willingness to work within systems for incremental and realistic change, rather than press for idealistic and perhaps unrealistic goals. I have a personal bent toward idealism and radicalism, and I think there is a time and place for it, and there are plenty of activists to learn from and model after in that vein. It was fascinating, by contrast, to see how Myrlie navigated complex situations in every sphere: business, civil rights, even media ventures--and how she advocated, but was also willing to compromise to see *something* accomplished, rather than nothing. Certainly, her position at head of the NAACP exemplifies this kind of role, and the kinds of things that can be accomplished. I think the freedom struggle takes all types: Martins, Malcolms, Medgers, and Mylries, and the movement(s) are stronger when all are able to find a way to co-exist and even co-operate. I learned a lot from Auntie Myrlie, maybe especially when I felt a different instinct, or where I found her zigging where I might zag.
Coretta Scott King said this of the book: "It should be of compelling interest to everyone seeking a deeper understanding of civil rights history, the meaning of womanhood, and the struggle for personal fulfillment. I recommend it highly." I agree.
Some might know of Myrlie Evers as the widow of Medgar Evers, NAACP field secretary in Mississippi who was murdered in his driveway in 1963. A couple of movies have been made about Evers and of Myrlie's decades long fight to see his murderer convicted. I recently also learned of Evers-Williams tenure as chairperson of the NAACP int eh 1990s, taking over an organization that was struggle deeply with public controversy and immense financial struggles, and helped "right the ship" in less than 5 years. This book tells the whole story, how she grew up in Mississippi, met and married Medgar, the path toward a degree and a career after he died, and raising 4 kids along the way. It details her climbing the ladder in a couple of large corporations, and then her stint in city government in L.A. breaking a number of glass ceilings along the way. Myrlie called it an "instructive autobiography," and it is, as she mixes in her own personal lessons learned along the way. Parts of it definitely read like "advice from Auntie Myrlie."
One thing that noticed as a theme throughout the many chapters of her life was her willingness to work within systems for incremental and realistic change, rather than press for idealistic and perhaps unrealistic goals. I have a personal bent toward idealism and radicalism, and I think there is a time and place for it, and there are plenty of activists to learn from and model after in that vein. It was fascinating, by contrast, to see how Myrlie navigated complex situations in every sphere: business, civil rights, even media ventures--and how she advocated, but was also willing to compromise to see *something* accomplished, rather than nothing. Certainly, her position at head of the NAACP exemplifies this kind of role, and the kinds of things that can be accomplished. I think the freedom struggle takes all types: Martins, Malcolms, Medgers, and Mylries, and the movement(s) are stronger when all are able to find a way to co-exist and even co-operate. I learned a lot from Auntie Myrlie, maybe especially when I felt a different instinct, or where I found her zigging where I might zag.
Coretta Scott King said this of the book: "It should be of compelling interest to everyone seeking a deeper understanding of civil rights history, the meaning of womanhood, and the struggle for personal fulfillment. I recommend it highly." I agree.
December 25, 2025
I love this book. I consistently underlined quotes and sayings that resonated with me. Although, Myrlie accomplished various strides towards equity and inclusion for African Americans I couldn’t help by reading her last 2 chapters and nod my head with approval when her grandchildren asked her when she was going to slow down. She spent so much of life becoming the woman that she so desired that she was giving all of her time away to others and in the end I really hope that she was able to give all of her time to her family, her foundation, her “greatest achievements”. Overall, this was such an amazingly written book and not to my surprise it is still a struggle in the corporate world as a woman and as a woman of color. When you are a woman about your business … a man will always question your capability.
September 14, 2021
This book is really well written, interesting, and feels like you are getting real insight from Evers-Williams. She is honest and frank in discussing what it was like to be married to Medgar Evers and what her life was like after he was assassinated. I have wanted to read this book for a long time, and it did not disappoint. It was interesting to learn not just about the Evers family and their role in the civil rights movement, but Evers-Williams' fascinating life.
June 11, 2022
I read this book with a pen in my hand, underlining nuggets of wisdom that resonated within me. I felt like I had sat down with a mentor and after laying all my troubles before her, she took me on a journey to help me see my potential through the lens of her life. I have never felt a stronger connection to a person without having met them. On the surface, we have so very little in common. But deep down, I feel like I connected to an old friend. I would recommend this book to anyone
April 21, 2020
One of the few books that I have immediately read back-to-back. It is through Mrs. Evers-Williams story that I was introduced to the value that reinvention could have on one's life. From tragic widow to leader of a national organization is quite a journey that only the most visionary, courageous, tough, and wise could successfully undertake. Myrlie Evers-Williams is all that and much more.
January 11, 2021
If you don't know about Myrlie-- I recommend reading this.
If you think you can't do what you want due to your past or others ideas of you -- read this book.
If you need inspiration or a reminder of what we have overcome -- read this book.
An amazing woman with an amazing story, though quite difficult at times. 10/10 will read it again.
If you think you can't do what you want due to your past or others ideas of you -- read this book.
If you need inspiration or a reminder of what we have overcome -- read this book.
An amazing woman with an amazing story, though quite difficult at times. 10/10 will read it again.
June 21, 2022
This inspiring book deeply impacted my life and motivations and forever challenges me as a person. Not really the book so much as the determination and purpose of the woman whose life it portrays. I know I'll never really reach those heights, but the "be Myrlie" mantra has repeated itself in my spirit throughout the years after reading this book.
January 11, 2023
This "instructive autobiography" feels like a highly accomplished woman giving herself a much-deserved pat on the back. Written at a turning point in her career, Evers-Williams is both reflective and full of advice.
August 18, 2025
Lots of insight into different aspects of an amazing life.
January 12, 2016
A testament to how many women; not only this extraordinary woman encounter heart-wrenching challenges and continue to live and do great things as well as the mundane. She lost her first husband to an unspeakable tragedy, however, she continued to grow and educate herself to become a woman of renown. She also remarried a good and supportive man and he soon left her due to a terminal illness. She speaks of her journey in a clear and not self-serving or absorbed manner. Bountiful blessings as well as trials and tribulations are addressed in her search for "becoming" the accomplished woman we know of today. Quite inspiring and relevant today although it was written in 1999.
July 22, 2009
More than 30 years after writing "For Us, The Living" Myrlie Evers-Williams wrote this wonderful book about her life after the assassination of her first husband, Medgar Evers. And what a life... activist, successful corporate businesswoman, candidate for congress, and first woman to lead the NAACP.
January 2, 2011
What an inspiring story. After seeing her husband, Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist murdered in front of their Mississippi home, Myrlie Evers overcame her grief and took charge of her life. She completed her education, raised three children as a single parent, and went on to a career in government, industry, and politics.
October 25, 2011
Read for a book discussion. While admiring Evers-Williams herself for her many achievements, the group uniformly felt that the book was dated, preachy (both in the religious sense and in giving advice on how to conduct one's life), and too full of "I, I, I." We felt perhaps that we were not the intended audience, that it might have been aimed more at younger, black women.
February 5, 2008
This book was given to me by my Grandma who had the book autographed Myrlie. Before my Grandma gave me the book, she read it and has marked a couple of spots in the book. I have been looking forward to reading this book and seeing how Myrlie became "the woman that she was meant to be".
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews