As her former teacher, I believe that I know Janelle Nixon-Burke quite well.  I taught her as a junior high student in St Louis MO.  I am very proud of where she is today - a loving mother and a woman who does not hesitate to speak out when things are right, and, more importantly, when things are wrong.  She has a strong voice that deserves to be heard, and I think she has a particular gift for recognizing and defending people's rights, perhaps especially those who don't always get the ear they need and deserve.