I shared this video recently that makes me cry every time I see it. Despite my tears, I realized I am not totally familiar with each of these amazing women's stories. So I decided to share them here in case you aren't familiar with all of them either. I will just give a very brief overview and then provide links where you can get more information on these inspiring women. I plan on sharing these stories with my daughters.
ANTOINETTE TUFF
In August of 2013, 20-year-old Michael Hill walked into Ronald E McNair Discovery Learning Academy in Decatur, Georgia, with an AK-47-style assault rifle, 500 rounds of ammunition and "nothing to live for".
Inside the school were 870 children inside aged between five and 11 years. Luckily for everybody, Hill took as his hostage the school bookkeeper, Antoinette Tuff, who managed to successfully negotiate between Hill and the police.
"We're not going to hate you," she said, referring to him first as "sir" and later as "sweetie" and "baby". "My pastor, he just started this teaching on anchoring, and how you anchor yourself in the Lord," recalled Tuff, who said she was terrified. "I just sat there and started praying."
And so in between updates with the 911 dispatcher she shared her own travails with Hill, telling him about her divorce and disabled son, all the while reassuring him. "I love you. I'm proud of you. We all go through something in life. You're gonna be OK. Sweetheart. I tried to commit suicide last year after my husband left me." Eventually, while keeping police at a distance, she persuaded him to give up his weapons, lie on the floor and give himself up.
Tuff's action shows that a woman armed with emotional intelligence, immense poise and copious amounts of empathy can change the world and save lives.
It is seriously worth watching this video of the 911 call. It's AMAZING.
Inside the school were 870 children inside aged between five and 11 years. Luckily for everybody, Hill took as his hostage the school bookkeeper, Antoinette Tuff, who managed to successfully negotiate between Hill and the police.
"We're not going to hate you," she said, referring to him first as "sir" and later as "sweetie" and "baby". "My pastor, he just started this teaching on anchoring, and how you anchor yourself in the Lord," recalled Tuff, who said she was terrified. "I just sat there and started praying."
And so in between updates with the 911 dispatcher she shared her own travails with Hill, telling him about her divorce and disabled son, all the while reassuring him. "I love you. I'm proud of you. We all go through something in life. You're gonna be OK. Sweetheart. I tried to commit suicide last year after my husband left me." Eventually, while keeping police at a distance, she persuaded him to give up his weapons, lie on the floor and give himself up.
Tuff's action shows that a woman armed with emotional intelligence, immense poise and copious amounts of empathy can change the world and save lives.
It is seriously worth watching this video of the 911 call. It's AMAZING.
If you can't view it within my blog CLICK HERE.
Antoinette has written a book about her life and experiences called Prepared for a Purpose. It has 4-1/2 stars on Amazon and seems like it might be a very good read.
*To read all posts in my BRAVE WOMEN series click here.
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