Join us on FacebookJudge Hatchett Dare to Take Charge
After graduating from Mount Holyoke College and Emory University’s School of Law, Judge Glenda Hatchett accepted a position at Delta Air Lines as the company’s highest -ranking African-American woman. She served in dual roles as a senior attorney,
litigating cases in federal courts throughout the country, as well as manager of the company’s public relations department.
Her tenure at Delta Air Lines was followed by an assignment as chief presiding judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Court in Atlanta, Georgia. She would eventually preside over the two-time Emmy nominated syndicated show Judge Hatchett (Sony Pictures Television).
RECALCULATING AND YO-YO PRAYERS
It may surprise many to know that being a judge was not Hatchett’s original career plan. Already serving in the dual roles of senior attorney and public relations manager of Delta, she planned to move up even further in the company. Although she had years of negotiating experience, she finally met her match in a solemn prayer: “‘Dear Lord, You don’t want me to give up this incredible job and lifestyle, do You? It’s what I’ve always wanted, and I’m really doing well here.’ Then from the other side of my brain came, ‘God, is this an opportunity to step out and really make a difference? Are You calling me? Is this something You want me to do? Help!’” (Dare to Take Charge, p. 84).
After going back and forth with what she called “yo-yo prayers,” she accepted her calling, and decided that making a difference was more important than making money. Those kinds of prayers may sound unpopular, but we need to be honest with God about what we’re thinking when His positioning system says, “recalculating.” “In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life. Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him” (Steps to Christ, p. 93).
HOW DARE YOU? The song says, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” Often the sparks that ignite minds come in the form of questions. Short questions beginning with the phrase “How dare you?” or “How dare I?” sparked a blaze in Glenda Hatchett’s life. That flame has attracted thousands to “warm up in its glowing.” Consider some of the combustible questions from Judge Hatchett’s Dare to Take Charge: “How dare I not stand up, restore my faith, and go on ahead?” “How dare you not do all that you are able?”
“Any one of us can choose not to do our very best. That’s when I ask the question, how dare you not?” PARENT POWER NOW Many of us would have been satisfied that we were doing our best after becoming a television celebrity, but Judge Hatchett dared herself to find ways to help more people than she could through the one-way medium of television. She now has a very ambitious speaking schedule that includes a lot of question and answer sessions. In doing so, she’s found that audiences everywhere are asking the same types of questions, because most people have common concerns and challenges, particularly when it comes to child-rearing. How could she serve others beyond answering the same questions for different audiences? One of her sons told her what she needed is a “virtual platform.” That led to Judge Hatchett’s launching of www.parentpowernow.com, which she describes as “Facebook for parents.” This site allows you to get the judge’s advice on topics such as Single Parenting and Bullying through her live, weekly call-in. She also blogs on subjects ranging from childhood obesity to monitoring your children’s online networking. Probably the most meaningful aspect of the site is the interaction between parents and other influences such as teachers, pastors, and coaches so that they can learn from each other.
POSTING DREAMS NOT BAIL
I’ve seen Judge Hatchett pause an adult conversation in mid-sentence to get down to eye level with a child and ask them what they dream of being and doing. Her dedication to helping children dream led her to initiating the “One Million Dreams” campaign. Parents from more than 22 countries who have posted their children’s dreams on www.parentpowernow.com have embraced this simple plan. People all over the world seem to agree that it’s better to post dreams than bail.
Judge Hatchett’s Dare to Take Charge book is based on thought provoking questions that challenge readers to live with purpose and carve out paths that lead toward fulfillment of dreams and abundant hope. Her own life course is a testament of the same that aligns well with Paul’s admonishment to the early Christian believers: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13).
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