Beneath Cathy Hooker’s sweet smile and charming personality is a fierce, fighting spirit focused on the safety and care of children. “It’s all about the care of the children for me; I want every child safe and to know that they’re loved and appreciated.” And as a mother to seven children, grandmother to 16 grandchildren, and child care professional for 28 years – that’s a lot of kids!
Her love for children was inspired by her grandmother – Big Momma – who taught her how important it is that a child is seen and loved for who they are.
Each day Cathy makes a point to ask the children in her care how they are doing, and to listen when they are struggling. “All the kids knew that they were safe around Miss Cathy” she says, and she always kept an eye out for anyone who was being bullied. “Miss Cathy’s going to get to the bottom of it, I promise you” she would say if a child reported a problem to her, and she would investigate until she found a solution: “I would have to be able to tell that child something, so they can be at peace.”
Her love for children was inspired by her grandmother – Big Momma – who taught her how important it is that a child is seen and loved for who they are. Cathy became a family caregiver to Big Momma when she became homebound, and visited her every Saturday to care for her and her home. “I loved going there. She couldn’t see us but she could recognize our voices, and she would tell us stories – it was always fun and laughter.”
“It’s all about the care of the children for me; I want every child safe and to know that they’re loved and appreciated.”
Cathy’s fierce protection of children stems from her experience being bullied as a child. “When I see bullying in school it triggers something in me – I don’t turn my head” she says. Big Momma’s care for Cathy was integral to her resilience during this time, and Cathy’s work carries on Big Momma’s legacy to this day.
Cathy has been a member of We Dream in Black Georgia since 2022, and canvassed in Georgia for Care in Action for the 2024 General Election. When Cathy heard she was selected for the Legacy Portrait series, she was excited. “I’d never done anything like this since high school, I felt honored to be asked”, she said.
Cathy is planning to retire at the end of 2024, but she is looking forward to continuing to contribute to the care of children through We Dream in Black. She was thrilled to be nominated for the nanny council. “I still want to be active with children”, she said. “It’s about them being safe, and knowing that they’re loved and appreciated. Even at their little young age.”
Big Momma’s care for Cathy was integral to her resilience during this time, and Cathy’s work carries on Big Momma’s legacy to this day.
