52 Portraits 22: Paquetta Palmer

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“Here is what you need to know about the Divine Miss P. She is an activist. She is a chef and organizer and honorary Auntie to what is now a few generations of this community’s children. She is a fierce mama lion for her chosen family and her community, especially those most marginalized by our society. She shows up where needed. She shows up when life hits you hard and others scatter. She will be present for her friends and those in need. She feeds us, challenges us to be better, forgives us, loves us, offers up wisdom with knowing humor and a belly laugh, and then she gets us up on the dance floor.” This is just the beginning of Jean Henry’s explanation of how inspiring Paquetta is to those fortunate enough to know her. She is so many things to so many people in Ann Arbor and beyond that it would be impossible to list here. In this podcast we talk about her years of activism, her work with mental health and healthcare in Washtenaw County, and her upbringing as a child in foster care. 

“Here is what you need to know about the Divine Miss P. She is an activist. She is a chef and organizer and honorary Auntie to what is now a few generations of this community’s children. She is a fierce mama lion for her chosen family and her community, especially those most marginalized by our society. She shows up where needed. She shows up when life hits you hard and others scatter. She will be present for her friends and those in need. She feeds us, challenges us to be better, forgives us, loves us, offers up wisdom with knowing humor and a belly laugh, and then she gets us up on the dance floor.” This is just the beginning of Jean Henry’s explanation of how inspiring Paquetta is to those fortunate enough to know her. She is so many things to so many people in Ann Arbor and beyond that it would be impossible to list here. In this podcast we talk about her years of activism, her work with mental health and healthcare in Washtenaw County, and her upbringing as a child in foster care.

This is the Agenda article from 1987 discussed in the podcast. Taken from the Ann Arbor District Library website. aadl.org

This is the Agenda article from 1987 discussed in the podcast. Taken from the Ann Arbor District Library website. aadl.org