It Is Well with My Soul: The Extraordinary Life of a 106-Year-Old Woman

An African American centenarian who saw W. E. B. Du Bois speak in 1924 and attended President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009 shares wisdom from a life well lived during a crucial period in American history
Ella Mae Cheeks Johnson was an inspirational, dynamic, and one-of-a-kind woman, whose ordinary life was nothing less than extraordinary throughout the course of her 106 years. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Ella Mae was the child of former slaves and experienced the best and worst of the past century in America—from the Jim Crow era and the Great Depression to the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009, which she memorably attended. Through it all, she endured—and thrived—by adhering to the example of the Good Samaritan: the belief that compassion is the key to the good life and offering to help without expecting payback brings its own rewards. In It Is Well with My Soul, Ella Mae Cheeks Johnson shares her insights on living a long and enjoyable life and her hopes for the future.

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring Life, a great read!

By David Reader "David" - May 12, 2010

"Ella Mae Cheeks Johnson's story is a marvel of surprises. This lively, highly intelligent woman who spent thirty-four of her last years in a senior retirement community never let her circumstances hold her back from satisfying a wide-ranging curiosity. The centenarian with a 'church lady' demeanor was reading books like Confessions of an Economic Hit Man! She lived to see so many of the last century's most startling changes and kept her balance through it all -- being orphaned at age four, living in the Jim Crow South, being taken in by neighbors, hearing W.E. B. Du Bois speak at Fisk, raising two sons on her own during the Second World War. She was not Everywoman, but someone with an immense and sparkling spirit. This is a Great read -- and not just for African American audiences."

Better for having read this book

By creaturelover "Jan" - September 4, 2010

Although this was not the most exciting book, and sometimes redundant, I felt it added to my life experience. Having grown up in a diverse neighborhood, I didn't see people of color having negative experiences. I was glad to have experienced this book. I was also astounded at the resiliency of this brilliant woman and feel she is genuinely blessed.

An Inspiring Lady

By DyBrown - June 19, 2010

The title of this semi-autobiographical story is so appropriate. This little lady's life was a monument to what can be accomplished if one shakes the temptation to put on a "poor little me" attitude when adversity comes at an early age.. I highly recommended it, especially for young people. It's too bad that she died just before publication and could not be here for the accolades she deserves as a model for all.