Firstly to all who judge! You are not God. Clara Ward, her mother Mrs. Gertrude Ward, her sister and the other memembers of the Ward Singers were Christians yes. And who are we to say otherwise. But we seem to be forgetting that they are humans also. No man, or child is infallible. Christ was the only perfect creature to walk this earth. And in daily living we are to be like Him the best we can. This biography on Clara Ward was similar to "Got To Tell It: Mahalia Jackson The Queen of Gospel" in that it was out to soil the character of women who work on the Lord's behalf. We forget that. These woman were doing the Lord's work...the disciples had their faults to did they not...Jesus himself was tempted. I think that Willa Ward should be ashamed of herself that her jealousy towards her sister or her grudges against her mother should cause her to paint such a picture of them. If they were indeed like that you should have left that to God to review. I offer the same advice to Jules Schwerin and Brother John Sellers who did a fine job at creating a story that has a whole lot of misinformation (on the part of the author, Schwerin) and makes you believe that Mahalia Jackson was one of the cruelest people that ever walked the face of the earth. Both books make no mention of the fact that both women aided younger gospel singers with their careers and took care of young mother less children. Or the fact that Mahalia helped to send 50 black kids to school. Clara Ward was a mother to Aretha Franklin and her siblings after their mother passed in 1952 and was deeply admired by youngsters like Diana Ross. Or that Mahalia was a good role model and the idol and godmother-like figure to Della Reese, Shirley Caeser, Dorothy Love Coates, Mavis Staples, James Cleveland and Aretha Franklin. I find that both books tend to be biased and unbalanced...one sided and unfare and not worth your money.

The original Ward Singers are three strong, Black women who show the true integrity, fortitude, and legacy that belies the woman of color in America. For the understanding of my people I thank God that Willa Ward-Royster had the fortitude to persevere and complete this book. The Ward Singers fought, clawed, and starved to pave the way for our current gospel calvacade of stars today. Mama Gertrude was a fundamentalist steamroller who did wonders with the simple understandings that she grew up with. Clara was a prolific song writer/arranger and a tireless singer/work-aholic who had to work at fever pitch throughout her life to make even a small step away from that fundamentalist prison that she was born victim. Despite the slights from her own mother, Willarene remained selflessly loyal to the memory of her sister. As a sister Willa does protect the reader from much of Clara's activities and stories that do not directly intersect her performances. (You have to get those stories verbally from her contemporaries!) Clara should be proud that she liberated a generation. To deny her sexuality would be tantamount to denying her race. Look at her lyrics and her speeches: Clara still remains a Psalmist and a Prophet.

Yes! Finally after looking for Highways and Hedges to no avail, I found How I Got Over! Never got to meet the lady, but was deeply moved and influenced by her. Met Gertrude, however and one of the Ward Singers. I'm afraid what Willa says about Gert is true and not bias!

Nonetheless, my questions were answered as to why I always sensed a sadness in Clara's incredible delivery. My heart broke for her, and I understand what I'd been told and what I read about the alcoholism!!!! Yes, she was the greatest gospel singer ever, and lives on in my heart, memory and music.