Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

Why is it that most people aren’t appreciated until they’re gone? That exact question was Oprah Winfrey’s motivation for throwing her Legends Ball last year. The unforgettable three-day celebration was her way of showing 25 brave, inspirational and pioneering women what they’ve meant not only to her, but also to the countless other women they’ve motivated and stimulated.

On Monday, May 22, the world got a glimpse into that weekend via a special on ABC. In very intimate and emotional ways, the legends, who included Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Corretta Scott King, Leontyne Price, Pearl Cleage, Tina Turner and Diahann Carroll, were greeted and gifted by some of today’s most popular female entertainers. At each of the three events over the weekend, tears abounded. Since I’m not a legend or a boldface name (yet), I was not at the actual ball. But seeing all the women I learned about as a child celebrated in such a beautiful way made my eyes water as if I was actually there and able to tell those women what they have meant to my life. I lived vicariously through Oprah’s celebration of the mothers of R&B, dance, African American music and the civil rights movement. And I have been stirred to “dream bigger,” as Oprah would say. Money and professional achievement are great, but my new goal is to inspire and motivate.