Ola Mae Parks

is honored with a Brick from Marti Farha Ammar.

In the 10 or so years I have known her, I've come to recognize Ola Mae Parks as the true heroine that she is. She is a friend, a sister, and a mother. She is a beautiful, strong, politically astute woman, involved with her community and her family, a source of strength for friends, family, and neighborhood. Ola takes pride in whatever she does and she does many things well.

Ola has had a lot of hardship in her life. Her only son, Michael, was killed a few years ago. She has borne the pain of his death and has helped to raise his precious daughter, her granddaughter Raquel, in spite of many health problems of her own and members of her family. Loving and compassionate, she does what she needs to do with good humor, never taking her problems out on other people, never moody, making people laugh more often than not.

Ola is very active in the community. For many years she has produced the Male Fashion Show for the Elks Club. She will emcee as well as model, always working hard to guarantee it's success. Ola strives to promote political, economic, social justice, and harmony in Wichita. Everyone who knows her knows her to be a beautiful person through and through.

For me, Ola has been a true friend. When I am down and depressed, no matter how awful her situation might be, she will do anything to change my mood and help me see my way through, hardly thinking of her own problems. She has helped me to raise my two sons, Allie and Chad, and she always reminds me that she loves them as her own. She is there for them in their joy and in their trouble. My sons know that if they ever need anything that they can always call Ola. Ola and her companion, Sweet Virgil are two of the best friends a person can have. To my heroine Ola Mae Parks, I hope we will always be friends and confidantes, even when we get real old! Love, Marti

August 12, 1998