Crawdads, Persimmons, and Wildplums (ePub)

Juanita McCarthy Dandridge, dramatis persona, author, and motivational speaker – is a retired teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Grambling College (now Grambling State University). Through a fellowship grant from Ford Foundation and the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities in 1964 Juanita was selected as a participant in a fellowship program for the teaching of reading at Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia under the direction of Dr. Lynette Saines Gaines. Juanita was one of five teachers chosen from Louisiana for the program that included four or five teachers from each state in the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities.

Juanita was a state winner in dramatic/interpretative reading in high school. She continued her interest in drama by participating in the Grambling College Little Theatre Guild. While at Grambling she took all her elective hours in speech and drama.

After graduation from college, Juanita taught third grade at Sorrento, Lowery and West Ascension Elementary Schools. Then later she taught reading at Donaldsonville Elementary School until retirement.

Juanita has held many positions in civic organizations and she volunteers selectively in many civic and school activities. She is a member of Mount Triumph Baptist Church where she sings in the choir.

She has written a book Crawdads, Persimmons and Wildplums: Things I Want My Grandchildren to Know. The book is being assailed wherever it is presented. She has two widely circulated copyrighted poems. The poem "Pearls of Wisdom- Embraced by Thy Grace." is a favorite of people.

For several years Juanita has been performing dramatic readings, first in schools, nursing homes and churches. In the past year or two, her scope of areas have broaden to national conventions.