Blog archive
June 2023
Bridget Brewster Discovers Village Benefits
06/04/2023
Rumor of Humor #16
06/04/2023
Communications Project with Cal State LA
06/02/2023
Creative Aging
06/01/2023
May 2023
One Villager's Story
05/31/2023
Pasadena Area Liberal Arts Center
05/31/2023
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
05/31/2023
Plan Ahead - And Be Prepared
05/31/2023
Tuesday, May 23 Pasadena Celebrated Older Americans
05/31/2023
Reparations, Social Justice Activity
05/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #14
05/19/2023
Rumor of Humor #13
05/12/2023
Issue #12
05/09/2023
Science Monday - Review of Meeting on April 10, 2023
05/09/2023
Conversations Re African American Artists Before 1920
05/08/2023
Beyond the Village – Suzi and Phil Hoge
05/01/2023
Congratulations Wayne April! Honored at UNH
05/01/2023
Table Topics
05/01/2023
Volunteer Appreciation at the Village
05/01/2023
“ACCIDENTAL HOST—The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease”
05/01/2023
April 2023
Jumbo Joy
04/24/2023
Pasadenans Recent Experience With Racism
04/23/2023
Recent Events Reflecting Racism
04/23/2023
Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
04/18/2023
Photography for Social Justice
04/11/2023
Issue #8
04/07/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Catherine Deely
04/06/2023
Creative Writing in Older Adults
04/06/2023
Gifts of Love
04/06/2023
March 2023
Issue #7
03/31/2023
Issue #6
03/26/2023
Great Decisions update
03/14/2023
Dominion Lawsuit, South Africa and 710 Stub
03/08/2023
February 2023
2023 DEI Progress
02/27/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Doug Colliflower
02/26/2023
CONVERSATIONS WITH ART
02/26/2023
GREAT DECISIONS
02/26/2023
OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE FAIR
02/26/2023
The Important, Influential Books in our Lives - Revisited
02/26/2023
History, Resolution of the 710 Freeway
02/19/2023
Eminent Domain, 710 Highway
02/13/2023
Bernard Garrett, 710 Freeway
02/06/2023
Men's Times Gatherings
02/03/2023
January 2023
Pasadena's Senior Commission
01/30/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - JIM HENDRICK
01/27/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
01/27/2023
JEFF GUTSTADT - FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
01/27/2023
Bernard Garrett, Incredible Black Entrepreneur
01/17/2023
What is the "Spirit Talk" Group About?
01/16/2023
Same Ol’ New Year, Brand New Me
01/12/2023
Review of 2022, Consideration of 2023
01/06/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PATTI LA MARR
01/03/2023
FROM THE CHAIR
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
01/03/2023
Sandra Moffett, Getting to Know Her
By Blog MasterPosted: 03/30/2021
MEMBER CONNECTIONS – SANDRA MOFFETT
Sandra Moffett, who has been a member of Pasadena Village for two years, was born in Galveston, Texas to a teen mom. She spent her early years there until she moved with her mother and step-father to South Los Angeles when she was nine years old.
Sandra remembers her mother as someone who was strict and who placed a high value on education. Sandra attended a local Catholic School within walking distance from her home. She followed her mother’s instructions, “walk home, do my homework, do my chores, and stay inside.”
Her family moved to Pacoima when Sandra started high school, where she was one of only five Black students in all four grades. Now a neighbor drove all five Black students to school each day. Sandra continued to do well and follow her mother’s guidelines. When she graduated she was the only Black student in her class. Still, during her first days at the new school, Sandra became friends with a young white girl. Their friendship endured and even now, after 65 years, the two talk daily.
After graduation, Sandra attended Junior College and worked at Litton Industries as a spot welder. She married and four years later her son was born. As a married woman and mother Sandra continued working and going to school. For many years she did word processing for a law firm while she also did medical transcription for MD Anderson Cancer Center located in Houston, which she enjoyed very much. Eventually Sandra bought a resume service and ran her own business, while still working for the law firm and doing medical transcriptions. And – after 20 years, Sandra earned her BA in speech communication. “I always thought I wanted to teach. But my job offer required a long drive, and the salary couldn’t compare to what I was making. So I never did teach, but I got my degree.”
It was clear from Sandra’s presentation that she is a natural networker. She and her mother were members of Jack and Jill of America, a national organization for mothers and children dedicated to nurturing leadership among African Americans. During her professional career she joined the Rotary Club and the Burbank Business and Professional Women’s organization. “I guess I’m a joiner - after all, I joined the Pasadena Village.”
Sandra is part of the Pasadena Village Inclusivity Committee and has discussed issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in that group. For herself she feels she has not experienced much overt racism, although she described a couple of incidents that have stuck with her.
One time she was driving her Porsche and was pulled over by the police. The officer examined all of her documents and made phone calls to the office but eventually let her go, having no basis to hold her. “I think he was suspicious of a Black woman driving a Porsche.” Of course, all of us at the Member Connections were trying to picture demure, soft-spoken Sandra behind the wheel of a sports car. “Oh yes”, said Sandra, “I had two Porsches. I loved those cars!”
Another incident involved “redlining”, the practice of not allowing Black people to purchase property in certain areas. Some years after Sandra purchased her condo in Glendale, she received a check as a settlement for a lawsuit brought against owners in Glendale who had a history of racial discrimination. Today, Sandra is campaigning to serve on the Board of her condo’s HOA.
Member Connections is a program of Pasadena Village, coordinated by member Bea Jennings, that aims to help members get to know each other and share the story of their lives. Listening to Sandra Moffett describe the arc of her life was a master class in how to set goals, have faith in oneself, and never say no to an opportunity. Pasadena Village is fortunate that, two years ago when Sandra heard about the Village, she decided to give it a try!
To view a video of Sandra's presentation click on this link, Sandra Moffett