Tekla Syers is a strong, black woman in my community. She is an avid social worker, a loving mother and aunt, and a very good friend. She puts a lot into her community and they respect and love her in return.

My mom always says that Mrs. Syers is the strongest person she knows. They met while working at Aunt Martha’s which is a youth drop-in center and a community resource for families in poverty. They quickly became good friends. My mother, Andrea Durbin, said “She was a welcoming and warm woman.” Unfortunately Mrs. Syers has suffered a lot of tragedy in her life. Her son was killed when he was 16 years old and only a couple years later, her husband was killed in a car accident. Despite these horrible events Mrs. Syers has stayed strong and continued to be a support system for my family even when she needed a support system herself. Mrs. Syers told me later that “helping your family was the best way to heal.” My mom had to go back to work shortly after I was born and she could not afford a daycare at the time, so I spent much of my time growing up with her. She taught me how to ride a bike, how to knit, and how to bake pies. She was the first person who took me to volunteer at a soup kitchen in our community. The John Robinson from Chicago Food Bank says, “Mrs. Syers was a regular donor and volunteer. One of the most committed.”

I have always looked up to her and I think she is one of the most selfless and devoted people I have ever known. I am so glad that she has been such a huge part of my life and growing up. I believe that she has made me who I am.