Dedication

First of all, this story is dedicated to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for without Him, I would be like a ship without a destination and without a sail.

Secondly, this story is dedicated to five important women who shared in my adventure of bringing this story to life.

The first woman is my pen pal, my confidant, and my Aunt Yvonne, better known as Aunt Bonnie, who welcomed me into her home, allowed me to visit and sleep on her new fold-out sofa, and encouraged me to continue my every endeavor.

The second woman is “one of my best” cousins, Ericka, who ferried me to the plantation houses and took a thousand pictures.

Ladies three and four, come as a pair. They are my twin cousins, Jeannine and Carmen, that I finally grew taller than, and who made this research project infinitely more entertaining.

And lastly, Verna Clay, who has tireless edited this project, encouraged me to continue writing, and become one of my dear friends.