Today’s post is the first entry in our Black History Month series, written by staff member Tracey Calhoun.
Most, if not all, of you know of a legendary actress and model, exemplar for civil rights named Cicely Tyson (96). Cicely Tyson passed away on January 28, 2021, leaving us with a memoir of her heart, soul, and a testament of faith displayed throughout her life and craft. It is a great honor to pay a tribute to a pioneer who has made a contribution for over seven decades in the areas of humanity, television, movie, and broadway plays. An imprint of Cicely Tyson’s greatness and endurance will forever live in our hearts.
Cicely Tyson was an icon. Her wisdom, voice, and image captivated many African American women from youth until adulthood. She intentionally used her platform as an actress, tearing down the physical, social, and racial barriers and biases. Cicely Tyson’s loyalty was to everyone. However, her pursuit was to portray strong, positive images of Black women gracefully. (1 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you, Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.)
Cicely Tyson was a game changer. She was a woman assured of her identity. She triumphed over her flaws with resilience. Her spirit blossomed with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Cicely Tyson was confident, poised, and regal. She inspired African American women to embrace their standards of beauty-plethora of skin tones, full lips, natural hair… https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cicely-tyson-hair_n_5652171. Her selflessness and humility drew people close by her side. Cicely Tyson was a ray of sunshine illuminating light. She would not allow her integrity to be tainted by accepting degrading roles of African American women. Cicely Tyson voiced in an interview, “Unless a piece really said something, I had no interest in it. I have got to know that I have served some purpose here.” (Proverbs 20:5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.)
Cicely Tyson was a trailblazer. She was vulnerable and stretched beyond measures. Knowing her worth and dignity throughout her amazing life embodied a pillar of genuineness. Cicely Tyson was edifying and shared wisdom aiding in the maturity of others. She made countless sacrifices to open doors and leave a lasting legacy for those inspiring African American actresses and actors. Cicely Tyson quotes, “[on her commitment to choose only positive images] Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They’re what make the instrument stretch — what makes you go beyond the norm. The choices of roles I made had to do with educating and entertaining. And as a result, I found myself working only every two or three years.”
(Ephesians 2:10 TPT We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!)
Take a closer look at Cicely Tyson’s interview, airing days before her passing, with more of her capturing journey and book, “Just As I Am: A Memoir”.
Hollywood legend Cicely Tyson recounts life, career in new memoir