BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC Reveals True Story of Mattie Fisher

A new book by author Dee Louis Scott, "Believe in the Magic: Let the Tenacity of Mattie Fisher Inspire You," tells the true story of an inspirational black woman born in the Deep South during the early 20th century.

Raised through early childhood by grandparents who owned their own property, Mattie was returned to her mother and stepfather, sharecroppers financially enslaved by debt, after her grandparents' death. She did not like her stepfather or being made to pick cotton for a landlord, and she was appalled by the unfairness of the sharecropping system. At 12 years old, she left home.

"That independence, that belief in herself, stayed with her," says daughter Dee Louis-Scott. "Through the worst of times, my mother always found a way to rise and stand, not with anger or bitterness, but with love."

Louis-Scott says she began putting together the facts of her mother's life as a historical record for her daughter. But as she reviewed the letters and tapes, she realized this story of an inspirational black woman would benefit anyone and everyone.

After Mattie Fisher took off on her own, she eventually found employment with a wealthy, childless couple who took her under their wing. "The missus" taught her etiquette and how to drive. This was during the depths of the Great Depression but for Mattie, life was magic - for a time.

When the husband began making advances, Mattie left. But by then, she'd grown from a poor country girl into a sophisticated and refined young lady, Louis-Scott notes.

Mattie's determination to live her life to its fullest during one of the most difficult eras in U.S. history for blacks makes this story of an inspirational black woman particularly fascinating. The book details Mattie's life as she tries her hand at business, marries and divorces, bears children and, finally, dies at age 78.

"There were times when she was broken in body, mind and soul," says Louis-Scott. "But she believed strongly in magic - miracles - and she taught me to do the same. She was confident and tenacious, and believed that we're all created for greatness. She was not going to let anyone stop her from achieving hers."

Louis-Scott ends each chapter of her book with a section called "Life Lessons" a pointed recap of what readers can learn from that chapter and apply to their own lives. Reviewers appreciated the combination of Mattie's story and the lessons Louis-Scott derives from it.

"The author has succeeded in producing a book that encourages women to step out of their comfort zone, explore new possibilities, and overcome obstacles by depicting different life events experienced by her mother, Mattie Fisher, the heart of the novel," writes Amazon reviewer Vicky, who gave it five stars. "Great read for anyone experiencing difficult situations."

About Dee Louis-Scott

Dee Louis-Scott is retired after working 30 years as a federal employee. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. Scott has co-chaired the Black Family Technology Awareness Association's Youth STEM Fair for nine years; its mission is to encourage studies in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum in urban communities. Twenty years since the death of her heroic mother, Mattie Fisher, Louis-Scott honors her life, which was experienced during a time in American history when it was a double-curse to be a black woman.

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