Hello all!
For months the most asked question from Essence readers has been "When are you gonna write a story about Shoshana Johnson?!" As most of you know, Shoshana Johnson was captured last March 23 in an ambush of the 507th Maintenance Company in Iraq and held captive for 22 days, becoming the first African-American female prisoner of war. After the POWs were rescued, much was written about Jessica Lynch, a member of her unit who was also captured. Lynch garnered a million dollar book deal, a television movie and countless newspaper and magazine articles. But Shoshana was largely ignored. No one in the press told her story. Until now. Please pick up a copy of the March 2004 issue of Essence, turn to page 166 and read Shoshana's story of courage, faith and survival. It's been a privilege for me to write her inspiring and powerful testimony and to get to know her as a friend. The article is truly one of the highlights of my career.
Please help us get the word out! Forward this email to 10 friends, family members, coworkers, sorority sisters, community leaders or church members. Ask them to send the email to
10 more people. Shoshana's story is an addition to our history as African-Americans in this country. And we must make certain that our stories are told and our contributions in history acknowledged. And please tell us your thoughts! Send any comments to me, our Editor-in-Chief, Diane Weathers, at
dweathers@essence.com <mailto:dweathers@essence.com>, or
letters@essence.com <mailto:letters@essence.com>.