How Addy Honored her Mother – a life struggle

Many girls in American History did not have an easy life.  Addy Walker and her mother were slaves, which meant that they were owned by a master and forced to work on his plantation.  This is her story of how she honored her mother.

The year is 1863.  Addy Walker has suffered a few losses.  The slave master of the cotton plantation she grew up on has sold her father and her big brother, Sam, to another owner.  The sudden change forces Addy to suddenly flee to escape slavery, but they must leave Addy’s baby sister, Esther, and her beloved but elderly Uncle Solomon and Auntie Lula.  Now, all Addy has left is her mother, Ruth.

After Master Stevens sells Poppa and Sam, Ruth realizes she and Addy must run away now before they come back to take Addy, too.  Mother and daughter dress in disguises and run into the woods in the dead of night. During the day they hide in caves, and at night, they keep running.  Soon, they come to a river, one they must cross to get to freedom.

Addy’s brother had taught her to swim, but Ruth did not know how to.  Can you imagine how scared Addy was to see her mother go under the raging waters?  She goes underneath as well, soon finding her mom trapped by tree branches underwater.  Addy frees her mother and brings them both to the surface. Nothing ever felt so relieving to having her mother, her rock, safe and sound once more.

It took strength and courage for Addy to escape the plantation, navigate the forest, and save her mother from drowning.  It is that strength and courage for which Addy is rewarded by the greatest gift to man-the gift of freedom and being allowed to stay with her mother.

By Colleen O.

Yes She Can Trainee

We hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Don’t forget to visit Girl AGain if you are looking for any of Addy’s items.