Interim Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Toni Williams says her mother Shirley Yvette Green was a strong woman and a warrior as she battled sickle cell disease.
Williams says her mother told her the pain from the disease was like a stabbing sensation all over her body. Despite that, Williams says her mother would often hide her struggles so others wouldn’t worry.
“As a sickle warrior, you’re born into this life. It’s a life that gives you many limitations. A life where at any moment, a sickle cell crisis can happen,” said Williams.
Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that causes a mutation in the protein that carries oxygen, hemoglobin. This mutation causes the red blood cells to become hard, sticky, and take on a form similar to a crescent or sickle. These cells get stuck and clog blood flow and die early, causing a constant shortage of red blood cells and various serious complications such as infections and excruciating pain.
The disease is most common in Black or African Americans where about one in every 365 babies are born with sickle cell disease. The only known treatments for the disease are stem cell or bone marrow transplants, which can be risky, and two recently approved gene-therapy treatments.
Williams’ mother was a teacher and strong education advocate who was initially unable to finish her degree at Tennessee State University due to the disease, only to later graduate with a degree in finance and a master’s in education at Christian Brothers University.
Green died last year from sickle cell disease complications.
The interim superintendent helped create the Shirley Yvette Green Sickle Cell Warrior scholarship in honor of her mother and her battle with sickle cell disease.
Tuesday night Williams awarded students Christopher Patton of Hamilton High School, Tyreion Taylor of Memphis Virtual, Tekyra Bausley of Whitehaven High School, Dephaney Simpson of Trezevant High School, and Rokaiya Moody of Overton High School. Each student received a scholarship check of $1,400.
“She (Green) was my superhero,” said Williams. “As I reflect on her remarkable life, I am reminded of the power of the human spirit. It is hard for many to grasp just how challenging and utterly painful it is when a sickle cell crisis strikes. There are often no warning signs when it occurs and for this reason, many are afraid to pursue their educational hopes and dreams. However, these children and their children are pushing forward, refusing to be confined by the parameters of this disease.”
