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Phyllis Schlafly was the most JOYFUL person I’ve ever known. As my mother, she nurtured JOY in me for God, family, and country.
“Joy by Jean Patou” was her favorite perfume. In fact, it was the only perfume she wore. Its floral aroma of jasmine and rose reminds me of her and the tremendous amount of JOY she found in life.
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| Phyllis Schlafly with her daughter, Anne |
“I’ve had a wonderful life,” she told me as she approached the end of her own life. Phyllis Schlafly chose to be JOYOUS. She saw adversity as a grand opportunity because she believed that Jesus was the author and finisher of her faith. Her deepest conviction was that regardless of the circumstances, she would REJOICE in the God of her salvation. Phyllis Schlafly knew that God put eternity in her heart for His purpose, which was to do good and ENJOY the good of her labor because it was a gift from God.
Of all my mother’s extraordinary achievements, her greatest JOY was to inspire people. Hundreds of women have told me their stories of how Phyllis Schlafly inspired them to aspire to “do the impossible.” And she modeled for them how do it all with JOY, which flowed through her speeches and writings that were filled with optimism, happiness, and confidence.
Phyllis Schlafly’s leadership style was hallmarked by her God-given brilliance and integrity that she modeled and taught her Eagles so that they could achieve their greatest dreams and goals. Her winsome graciousness caused many to want to serve alongside her, to pick up the mantle and carry on in their shared lofty endeavors. She unselfishly delegated, enabling many to share her JOY.
My mother ENJOYED her work. Her persistent and genuine smile was in stark contrast to the feminists’ anger and bitterness towards men and children that they fantasized held them back from accomplishing whatever they selfishly thought would make them happy.
Phyllis Schlafly embraced God’s principle that “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” My mother knew that God’s purpose for her life included the honor of being a wife and mother. She JOYFULLY excelled as a Proverbs 31 loving wife to my father and loving mother to her six children. She believed God’s principle that “children are a heritage from the Lord…..Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.”
Nearly three years after her passing, I celebrate the JOY of Phyllis Schlafly and the JOY that she gave to me and her Eagles. Eagle Forum is blessed by her leadership model, which continues to encourage women to make their voices heard for God, family, and country. She encouraged women to stand for God’s truths and never to be intimidated by anyone, which has led countless women to establish and lead organizations—even beyond Eagle Forum.
My mother’s JOY made her the strongest, most forceful person whom I have ever known. JOY is wonderfully contagious. Phyllis Schlafly taught us to believe in it, use it, and pass it on. I am blessed by the JOY that my mother gave to me, to Eagle Forum, and to all of her Eagles.
Like the sweet aroma of my mother’s favorite fragrance, may our lives always be a sweet reminder of God’s grace to all those we are privileged to come in contact with today — and until we join the multitudes who have gone before us into eternity.
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