Bobbie F - age 84 - Kathleen Cosgrove

I grew up the oldest of six children in my small hometown, Abbeville, Louisiana. I graduated as
valedictorian from high school, winning a college scholarship. However, my mother had passed away
when I was 16, so I had to step in to help raise my siblings, along with my grandmother. My father was
a manager for a Black-owned insurance company and worked long hours. It wasn’t until I was married
with three children that I got the opportunity to attend college, earning a BA degree in communications,
with honors, from the University of Portland. My husband and I started a weekly newspaper in Portland,
Oregon, The Skanner News, in 1975. Since then, we have been “Challenging People to Shape a Better
Future Now,” and educating our readers about the history of Black people and keeping them informed
about the issues they need to address.
As vice president and executive editor of the publication, I’ve experienced sexual and racial
discrimination, but at age 84, people are surprised that I’m still working, decades after most people
have retired. While I look forward to retiring next year, and I now use a walking cane, I plan to stay active
in my community. There is much to do, helping with my church, outreach to youth, promoting
racial equity, completing my family history, planning outings for seniors, attending seminars and so
much more. I would also like to travel, which has been on hold since Covid. While I’ve visited many countries,
there are many more I want to see. I enjoy reading, especially historical fiction, movies, poetry,
attending plays, brunch with friends and other social activities. I try to be a light of hope and love
to everyone I meet, and a conduit that keeps my family connected to each other and our history.