Hegwood Law - March 2021

Hegwood Law - March 2021

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HEGWOODLAW.COM • 281.218.0880

MARCH 2021

A LEADER DESPITE ALL ODDS

Meet Barbara Jordan, the First Black Female U.S. Senator

Many incredible women have inspired me along my path into the legal field — but, for Women’s History Month this March, I thought I would talk about a very special woman who was especially inspirational during my time: Barbara Jordan. Texas congresswomanBarbara Jordan (1936–1996)was the first African American elected to the Texas Senate since the Reconstruction (the period after the Civil War), and the first Southern African American woman to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. In high school, she heard a speech by Edith S. Sampson — another trailblazer, the first Black U.S. delegate appointed to the United Nations — and credits it as her inspiration to become an attorney. And, although she graduated with honors, she would still have to prove herself to get into law. Because of segregation, she could not attend the University of Texas. So, she attended Texas Southern University, a historically Black institution, and majored in political science and history. But she did not stop there — she became a national champion debater, defeating opponents from Yale, Brown, and tying with Harvard. She graduated magna cum laude in 1956 and graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1959. Despite her accomplishments and starting a successful private law practice, Jordan campaigned unsuccessfully in 1962 and 1964 for the Texas House of Representatives. Then, she finally won a seat in the Texas Senate in 1966, becoming the first African American state senator since 1883 and the first Black woman to serve in that body.

In her speech, she acknowledges the fact that it was not originally written to include Black people but cleverly expresses that the Constitution has grown since then, as it was designed to: "'We the people' — it is a very eloquent beginning. But when the Constitution of the United States was completed on the 17th of September in 1787, I was not included in that 'We the people.' I felt for many years that somehow George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in 'We the people.'" As a firm supporter of the Constitution, she cleverly addressed the abuses of power that Nixon had committed, while expressing a deep, moving patriotic love for her country. It greatly empowered the civil rights movement at the time, and serious conversation commenced about Jordan becoming a running mate for Jimmy Carter. Although that did not happen, she enjoyed her life after politics as a professor. In 1994, Bill Clinton gave her a Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest honor a civilian can receive. She died of leukemia a couple years later.

She even served one day, June 10, 1972, as acting governor of Texas. To this day, Jordan is the only Black woman to serve as governor of a state.

She was a brilliant lawyer, educator, and politician, and although she is not as well-known today, she and her legacy continue to inspire me.

Then, Barbara Jordan gave a 15-minute televised opening speech to the 1976 impeachment proceedings of Richard Nixon — and won over the hearts of millions of Americans.

-Kim Hegwood

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3 IRISH TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR YOUR BUCKET LIST Do Not Miss These Historic Spots!

Traveling to Ireland might not be an option for you right now, but like a leprechaun hoarding gold, you can still fill up your bucket list with all of the pubs, rolling hills, and lucky sites you would love to see. This month when you are planning your trip to Dublin, Galway, or Cork, add these spots to your itinerary.

survivor was named clan chief, and later Leap Castle was built on that very site — beginning its long and bloody history. Read more about its haunted priest’s house, murder hole room, and bloody chapel at LeapCastle.net and meet the many ghosts that haunt its halls.

The Oldest Bar in the World – Athlone, County Westmeath

When Sean’s Bar closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire country of Ireland groaned. The pub is famous for its Irish whiskey, music, and history, which stretches back to 900 A.D., far enough to earn it the title of “Oldest Bar in the World.” As of this writing, Sean’s is slated to reopen when it is safe again, and considering it has already survived the bubonic plague and the Spanish flu, odds are good that it will make it through this, too! Soon, you will be able to raise a glass in the same rooms where the noblemen of nearby Athlone Castle shared drinks in the 12th century. Find more historical tidbits at SeansBar.ie.

A Famous Smugglers’ Shortcut – Newcastle, County Down

Get ready to tie up your hiking boots! This roughly 2-mile hike, called Hare’s Gap, is one of the most famous and beautiful routes in Ireland. When you climb through this pass in the Mourne Mountains, you will be rewarded with views of glacial cliffs, boulder fields, and ancient- looking stone walls. Legend has it that the pass was part of the Brandy Pad smuggling route, used to ferry goods like soap, leather, spices, and coffee.

Ireland’s Spookiest Castle – Coolderry, County Offaly

If you are a fan of thrillers and true crime podcasts, you will not want to leave Ireland without visiting Leap Castle. This 16th-century haunt was built by the fierce O’Bannon clan, who famously ordered two brothers to throw themselves off a rocky cliff as a test of strength. The

Safe travels, and ádh mór (good luck)!

HAVING TROUBLE STAYING OPTIMISTIC? 5 Positivity Tips for OptimismMonth!

If negative feelings feel a little overwhelming to you right now, you are certainly not alone. To celebrate March, dubbed Optimism Month, we thought we would share a few tips to imbue your lifestyle with a healthy dose of positivity! No. 1: Remember your support groups. Whether it is through groups on social media or reconnecting with loved ones, you should not hold all of your worries inside. People want to be there for you — in these distanced times, do not be shy about reaching out to others first! No. 2: Challenge your negative thoughts. Reframe negative thoughts and see what possible positive outcomes are possible. For example, being “stuck at home with nothing to do'' can be reframed as “a safe opportunity to spend time with family or new hobbies.” No. 3: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Research shows that gratitude can significantly improve how content we are. But having more gratitude in our lives

does not happen overnight. It can take time for little habits to form, like waking up and writing down three things we are thankful for. You can also pick up a five- minute gratitude journal, an increasingly popular and affordable daily journal available on Amazon.

No. 4: Perform random acts of kindness! Buy a stranger’s coffee or send a loved one a random gift! It can change someone’s entire day, especially in these times. When we make the world a better place — one small action at a time — it can help us feel better about living in it. No. 5: Do not be discouraged by ‘two steps back, one step forward’ moments. Every journey has setbacks — even major ones that make you doubt a positive outcome is possible. But if everyone gave up when the odds seemed against them, then most of the world’s accomplishments never would have happened!

At Hegwood Law Firm, we believe positivity is key to achieving the happier, more content life we wish for ourselves. Sometimes, all it takes is a little practice!

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WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS ...

Scrub the Microwave Lemons do not just add a tart flavor to your favorite desserts or cool you down in a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. In addition to bold flavors, lemons also have powerful cleaning properties. Their acidity and oils cut through grease and can sanitize many of your household items. The best place to clean with a lemon is in the kitchen. For the microwave, simply juice a whole lemon into a bowl of water, then plop the used peels into the bowl. Microwave the mixture for a few minutes, let the bowl cool before removing it, then wipe away the grease in the microwave. You can also use this method for your oven. For odor-blocking properties, you can use a lemon as an air freshener. Leave half of a lemon in your refrigerator to trap and block potential smells and toss old lemon rinds down the garbage disposal. Run the disposal to clean the blades and freshen up the sink.

Start by sprinkling salt on a wooden cutting board, then slice a lemon in half. Using half the lemon (flesh-side down) like a sponge, scrub the board really well. Wipe and remove the leftover lemon juice and rinse the board before using it again. Not only will the board appear cleaner, but it also will not smell as bad, and the bacteria will be gone. You can also use this method to polish dining ware, spruce up copper, and even remove stuck-on food from plates. Now, here is the real secret: Once you master kitchen cleaning a la lemon, you can use these same principles to clean other parts of your house. For example, salt and lemon can be used to scrub grimy sinks and faucets, while a few squeezes of lemon juice in a cup of water makes an excellent cleaning solution for mirrors and windows. You can even make your own reusable cleaning spray by fermenting lemon peels — and the peels of other citrus fruits — in white vinegar for two weeks. Remove the peels after two weeks and spritz the mixture over surfaces you need to clean!

As for your kitchen tools, do not toss them out without trying this lemon trick first.

3-INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

WORD SEARCH

Ingredients

• 8 oz bittersweet chocolate (70% cacao or higher), chopped • 30 small-size marshmallows

• 2 cups heavy cream, divided • Chocolate shavings, for garnish

directions

1. In large bowl, combine chocolate, marshmallows, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Microwave on high 2 minutes. Stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth (if not melted after 2 minutes, microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between). Let cool to room temp, about 45 minutes. 2. In a medium bowl, whip remaining cream until soft peaks form. Transfer

1/2 cup to small bowl for topping. Refrigerate. 3. Stir half of remaining whipped cream into cooled chocolate mixture until fully incorporated, then gently fold in the rest. Spoon into eight 4-oz ramekins. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. 4. To serve, top with reserved whipped cream and sprinkle with shaved chocolate, if desired.

AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BUTTERFLY CLOVER DAFFODIL GREEN

IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS SPRING TANGERINE WOMEN

Source: GoodHousekeeping.com/food-recipes/easy/ a47667/3-ingredient-chocolate-mousse-recipe/

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 Meet Barbara Jordan, the First Black Female U.S. Senator 2 3 Irish Travel Destinations for Your Bucket List Having Trouble Staying Optimistic? 3 The Best Cleaning Tool Can Be Found in Your Kitchen 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse 4 Recently Divorced? Do not Forget These Documents!

THE ESTATE PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR THE RECENTLY DIVORCED

The end of a marriage comes with many new beginnings. Starting a new chapter in life can be scary, thrilling, and more than a little uncertain. While you are likely eager to move on, you must take care of certain responsibilities before you can fully do so. It can bring you peace of mind and allow you to move forward without worrying about your assets ending up in the hands of your ex or soon-to-be ex.

do so. Consider executing a new statutory durable power of attorney as well as a medical power of attorney if you have your ex listed as your current agent. Life Insurance Most people list their spouse as their primary life insurance beneficiary. As soon as you are legally divorced, you could change your primary beneficiary to your children or even a charitable organization. It is a good idea to provide multiple, in case a beneficiary passes before you do. Retirement Accounts Once your divorce has been finalized, you will also want to make sure to update the beneficiaries listed on your retirement accounts. Many people have multiple 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and other retirement accounts, so take the time to make sure each one is updated to reflect changes in your life. Too often, we hear stories where people fail to take care of estate planning concerns after a divorce. When money or assets are left in unwanted hands, the consequences can be devastating. Call Hegwood Law Group at (281) 218-0880 so you can have expert help on your side today!

Here is a handy checklist for all your estate planning needs:

Your Will Even if you already have a will in place, it is always a good idea to create a new one after a divorce. Your post-divorce will may include: • The decision to leave property to an individual or organization of your choice rather than your former spouse or partner • Creating or reestablishing a trust for any children you have • Choosing a guardian to care for your kids should you become incapacitated • Naming a new executor for your estate Powers of Attorney If you have not already selected a trusted family member or friend to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated, now is a good time to

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