By Allison Duffy, Staff Writer/Intern, Diversity

Denise Bolds has experienced her share of hardships. A social worker for 10 years, she lost her job and soon after her home was foreclosed. But ask Bolds the most challenging of these ordeals, and she will also respond with the most rewarding: raising her son as a single parent. Bolds, a 2002 graduate of the Social Work Adult Bachelor’s Completion Program at Marist College, recently authored and self-published a novel about her experiences raising her son, 18-year-old Jordan. Inspired to recall her successful years of single motherhood after her son graduated from high school, Bolds began to pen Raising Princes to be Kings: A Single Black Mother’s Guide to Raising Her Black Son almost two years ago.

“The book really focuses on motherhood and what needs to happen for black males from a very young age,” said Bolds. “If you take out the word ‘black,’ I think any mother could apply my book to her son.”

Throughout his childhood, Bolds’ son had to overcome several disadvantages, including a home environment characterized by an absentee parent. As a social worker, Bolds saw many African American males in similar situations fall victim to difficulties in their homes, education systems, and social groups, and was determined to ensure Jordan’s success.“I feel that mothers have a lot of control in how their children are raised, what their beliefs are,” Bolds said. “Black mothers especially need to understand   their roots. With that attitude they’ll see a difference in how their children grow up.”

Bolds studied at Marist as a non-traditional student, attending classes for 84 Saturdays at the Fishkill campus to complete her degree while raising her son. While a student, she circulated a petition to diversify the social work program, a move that led to a revamping of the curriculum.“I basically practiced what Marist taught me – to challenge authority,” Bolds said. “Any action you’re going to take takes unity. That was one of the steps towards my empowerment.”

Empowerment is one of Bolds’ strongest messages, and she sees parenting as both an empowering tool and a means to affect change, especially for African American single mothers. According to Bolds, many young black men do not stand a chance to conquer adversity without the support of a resilient maternal figure.

A defining moment for Bolds came when she witnessed her son receiving his high school diploma in 2008, a testament to her accomplishments as a single mom. She hopes that her book will inspire other single parents, and has a second book in the outline stages to guide children and their parents through the school system until graduation day.

“My greatest hope is that I can help other women who are sitting out there and don’t really have an approach on motherhood,” said Bolds.

Spring 2009 NUMBER 19

Diversity Works Newsletter is published twice a year by the

Marist College Affirmative Action Advisory Committee,

Marist College, 3399 North Road,Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Successful Motherhood Begins with ME!

My Blog Spot:

http://boldlioness.blogspot.com/