VoWW Interview #5 - Toy Edwards
Overview
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
For 35 years, the African American Parent Support Group (AAPSG) has advocated for the Black diaspora within West Windsor. This week, Voices of West Windsor covers its new President, Toy Edwards - a mother of 3 and an avid community representative. She talks about what the AAPSG does, how historical education can better represent the history of People of Color, and more.
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
For 35 years, the African American Parent Support Group (AAPSG) has advocated for the Black diaspora within West Windsor. This week, Voices of West Windsor covers its new President, Toy Edwards - a mother of 3 and an avid community representative. She talks about what the AAPSG does, how historical education can better represent the history of People of Color, and more.
Talking Points:
(On the history of the AAPSG):
"The AAPSG has been in WW for 35 years. It was started by a group of concerned moms - Barbara Edmunds, Carol Delk, Jennifer Howard because they felt their kids were being mistreated in the school system and that there was power in numbers. They formed the organization so that African American kids and kids in the Black diaspora were afforded the same opportunities as other kids in West Windsor."
(On who in WW inspires her):
"I am a mother, first and foremost... I love folks like Karen Delk (past President of the AAPSG) who inspires me to keep pushing; keep up the fight... I'm inspired by my "supermom extrordinaire" Maya Kamath (President of Village PTA) - the "energizer bunny" who goes on for a thousand... and countless moms. I think this community has some great, great moms; some great, great people... doing great things."
(On how historical education can better represent the heritage of People of Color):
"We are so much more than slaves. There is such a vast history...We are inventors, creators, innovators. There is a larger breadth to African American stories... Everyone has a history and... we should do more of a deep dive to learn more. You have to take that historical walk to see - what we've been through shapes but we are but we're more than what you see."
(On the history of the AAPSG):
"The AAPSG has been in WW for 35 years. It was started by a group of concerned moms - Barbara Edmunds, Carol Delk, Jennifer Howard because they felt their kids were being mistreated in the school system and that there was power in numbers. They formed the organization so that African American kids and kids in the Black diaspora were afforded the same opportunities as other kids in West Windsor."
(On who in WW inspires her):
"I am a mother, first and foremost... I love folks like Karen Delk (past President of the AAPSG) who inspires me to keep pushing; keep up the fight... I'm inspired by my "supermom extrordinaire" Maya Kamath (President of Village PTA) - the "energizer bunny" who goes on for a thousand... and countless moms. I think this community has some great, great moms; some great, great people... doing great things."
(On how historical education can better represent the heritage of People of Color):
"We are so much more than slaves. There is such a vast history...We are inventors, creators, innovators. There is a larger breadth to African American stories... Everyone has a history and... we should do more of a deep dive to learn more. You have to take that historical walk to see - what we've been through shapes but we are but we're more than what you see."