Clara Stevenson

My name is Clara Stevenson. I was born on October 29, 1932 on the cotton farmlands of Greenville, North Carolina. I am a southern spirited woman with a long and deeply rooted work history that stretches all the way back to the time when I was 12 years old. I transitioned to Connecticut in the 1950s with my husband and two sons.

Subsequently, about eight years later, I found myself with a family of seven minus a husband. However, I persevered and like so many other black women before me, I was forced prematurely to develop the wisdom and strength needed to continue pursuing a life that would secure and protect my future and all that my life had become. I was now responsible for the protection and development of the lives of seven children. Through life’s journey and experiences, I have learned that nothing is acquired easy.

Discipline is one of the basic dynamics in life needed to acquire and accomplish a better quality of life. Discipline coupled with three other dynamic elements was the key that got me through my bout with this disease called cancer.

Number one was my faith in God who was the chief medical physician over an assorted team of doctors and surgeons.

Number two was the discipline and willingness that was exemplified by my children, which reinforced number three, my strength and desire to continue to fight the good fight and never give up. That fight will forever burn in my spirit. These are the basic dynamics that served as my guide through the bout with cancer. I am a survivor – I will never give up!

It is an honor as well as a joy to have been given the opportunity to be amongst this outstanding group of survivors. I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all of the supporters who have helped me through these turmoils, all of the women in the world that have had cancer. And to those who did not make it through their journey…. with thee I will bow my head.

Thank you to Sisters’ Journey for allowing me this opportunity and providing the avenue to express my personal feelings and experiences. I’ll end with a quote from my son: “Life’s journey is to establish healthy relationships, to magnify the human experience.” May all the women who have not survived, rest in peace.

I would encourage regular self-breast exams, get GYN exams yearly and take the initiative to get regular mammograms!