Tips of the Spear

Who says an African American woman, nearly eighty, cannot unite a nation? Written with clarity, freedom, and a passionate spirit, The Hattie Isen Story salutes those before her and holds the hands of generations to come.

Hattie Isen is a committed and passionate advocate who has distinguished herself by advocating for a just society. She begins her pages as an average-sized first grader dressed in a yellow cottony dress with lavender bows.

A braided-haired little girl of African American descent, she heads to her segregated school in rural Tennessee, her top braid bouncing off her forehead as she runs to keep up with her older siblings. She falls behind them as her solemn brown eyes catch the White kids in the yellow school bus as it passes by. She dodges the paper trash the White kids hurl at her from their opened windows. It is America in the 1950s.

You will never forget Hattie Isen. Candidly written, this is her story.

Dr. Isen's accomplishments include licensure in teaching, school counseling, psychology, administration, student personnel services, and superintendence, forty-five years of professional experiences in Tennessee and the Midwest - kindergarten through higher education, with leadership roles in education and professional organizations. She has presented professional development locally and at the state and national levels. Dr. Isen founded a music and fine arts organization to benefit underserved youth of color.

Some of Dr. Isen's honors include:

• The Equity 2000 National Teaching Faculty
• The American Counseling Association 2008 Samuel H. Johnson Distinguished Service Award
• The 2008 Memphis Chapter of 100 Black Women Legend Award
• The 2013 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority-Memphis Alumnae Chapter-Service Award
• The Businesses United to Recognize Educators 2015 Educator of the Month Award.