COMMUNITY & CULTURE
TAKE IT FROM ME … with Deborah Patterson
COMMUNITY LEADER . FIGHTER . PROUD SINGLE MOM
By Diane Kline
Deborah Patterson is a confident and successful leader who has staked her reputation on fearlessly speaking her mind to everyone , including top executives . As caring as she is demanding of herself and of others , her candor is accepted with impunity by those who know her well . At times , you may not like what she has to say , but her track record suggests she ’ s worth a listen .
Prior to her retirement last year , Deborah spent the past 17 years as president of the Monsanto Fund , the multi-million dollar charitable arm of Monsanto Company . Her visionary work with nonprofits has helped to improve people ’ s lives in St . Louis and around the world via initiatives in education , agriculture and the arts . With a remarkable smile , a quick wit and enough facial expressions to win her an Academy Award , Deborah has won over colleagues , community leaders and a legion of devoted friends . She graciously shared a few of her thoughts and experiences .
Who knew they paid people to give away money ? At the Monsanto Fund , I was responsible for granting millions of dollars . I traveled the world for projects we funded . It taught me empathy and compassion for folks in situations beyond their control . But it also showed me that even people living in the hardest conditions – for example , in mud huts in Argentina – could be extremely happy . The lesson ? Things don ’ t bring you joy .
If I ’ m going to die , I ’ m going to die fighting . A burglar broke into my house and startled me in the kitchen . Instead of being scared , I was outraged . I thought , “ The nerve . You ’ re coming into my house ?” He hit me , so I hit him back . I gave him my purse and told him , “ You ’ d better run .” I may be small , but I ’ m mighty .
The library was my escape hatch . As a child , we lived in an apartment where there was no space , nowhere to listen to your thoughts . So I escaped by taking the streetcar downtown to the central library . Entering that building was like walking into the magic wardrobe in “ The Chronicles of Narnia .” Those books took me around the world .
If I can raise two babies on my own , I can get through anything . I was 42 and single with lots of “ stuff ” – a house , a BMW , shoes – but there was a hole inside me that needed to be filled with unconditional love . So I adopted a baby . When Emily arrived , I immediately fell in love with her as I did when Sarah joined our family three years later . Single parenthood makes you realize that you ’ re it . Whatever happens , you have to handle it . My kids get it , too . In fact , Emily gives me a Mother ’ s Day and Father ’ s Day card .
I tell myself , “ You ’ ve done well for a girl from North St . Louis .” My degrees are from University of Missouri-St . Louis , and it was Mayor Vince Schoemehl who took a chance on me , eventually putting me in charge of all housing and economic development for the city of St . Louis . He taught me to talk less and listen more . “ You ’ re not a mind reader ,” he said . “ You don ’ t know what I ’ m thinking .” That helped me when I became CEO of the American Red Cross , and then president of the Monsanto Fund . I have fulfilled my dreams , even getting to live in a house and have lots of flowers .
You always know where you stand with me . Yes , I ’ m frank ; and yes , I ’ m very direct . Feelings can get hurt when you speak the truth ( think of Jack Nicholson ’ s line in “ A Few Good Men ,” “ You can ’ t handle the truth ”). But I ’ m not malicious ; I don ’ t say things that rob people of their humanity . And I want you to be honest with me , too . Don ’ t surprise me - just tell me the truth .
With the racial tension in the country , I am still hopeful . Things are bad , but we ’ ve been through much darker places – Jim Crowe , hangings , segregation . Go back to the 1950s when I couldn ’ t go to the movies with my aunt in Alabama . Or in St . Louis where we had to get food from the pickup window because we weren ’ t allowed in the restaurants . If we stand together and are vigilant , we can solve a lot of things in America . I just don ’ t want to go backward .
80 GAZELLE STL