thinking of Aretha Franklin during her birthday week

 powerful singer and powerful person

who sang so many powerful songs

including

RESPECT

an anthem

to civil rights and women’s rights

personal power

knowing

she’d be proud today

if she were still with us

as people will fill the streets

across the country

to stand and sing and march

to take back their rights

reclaiming their power

no kings.

—

‘stand up to your obstacles and do something about them.

you will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.’

-norman vincent peale

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*Aretha Louise Franklin , 1942 – 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Regarded as the “Queen of Soul”, she was twice named by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest singer of all time. 

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photo image: don hunstein, Getty