Vanessa Williams and Mom Coming to Hartford

Entertainer, singer, actress Vanessa Williams, may be the famous one, but when it comes to bringing common sense to the table, it’s her mother, Helen, who is the star. The former schoolteacher brought sensibility and balance to “You Have No Idea,” a book by her and her daughter, tracking Vanessa’s personal struggle and rise in the entertainment industry and the relationship the two shared during that time. The power couple will be in Hartford this month and headline the Amistad Center for Art and Culture’s Phenomenal Woman Luncheon Oct. 13 at the Hartford Hilton. A very active member of the national African-American community service organization for professionals, The Links, the soft-spoken retired widow has a schedule nearly as packed as her daughter these days but put everything aside for a bit so she could Spill the Beans with Java.

Q: How easy or difficult was it to write a book with your daughter?

A: It wasn’t difficult but it was interesting the way we did it. She was on West Coast and I was on the East Coast, and we wrote independent of each other. Then someone coordinated 99 percent of our writing. I never expected to be a writer but loved doing it. As far as the things we learned about each other as we wrote it, there were surprises but we are so close that it just made us closer.

Q: What was your relationship like with your own mother? Did you tell her everything?

A: I never knew my mother. At a very young age, me, my two sisters and brother went to live with my father’s parents, who I am not sure if they were biological or not. Eventually they adopted us three girls and we had no contact with my mother during my formative years. I did not really get to know her until I was in college. Any mothering skills I learned from my teachers. Maybe it was why I became a teacher. They had a great deal of impact on my life. Education was an escape and an opportunity to me.

Q: Besides being a keynote speaker at the Amistad luncheon, you will also be recognized for your efforts in The Links, the national community service organization. Why was volunteer work so important to you?

A: I am really excited about the award, especially because it is coming from the Amistad Center. The Links mission is to provide cultural arts to those who might not otherwise have such access. Art and culture has always been a big, big part of our family. I have always been involved in arts and also living within such close proximity to New York City, we were always taking our kids to museums and musicals and things. It is an important part of life.

Q: How has the world changed in terms of equality and opportunity for blacks since you were a young girl?

A: I think there are a lot more opportunities out there. I was just thrilled with our little flying squirrel genius, Gabby Douglas. I was reading a little bit about her and one of the things she said was inspiring. ‘You have to go out there and do your best.’ And that is good advice, no matter what. Be prepared and you will do what is your best. It doesn’t matter if it is not someone else’s best.

Q: What do you see in the future for your own granddaughters?

A: I have four and they are all artistic as is my grandson. They all call me GaGa. My grandson wants to design sneakers and my oldest granddaughter is a stylist. She had a flair, even as a little one. My middle granddaughter is a dancer and she is working with a dance troupe in Manhattan. The youngest has a keen talent for filmmaking. They all seem to be well on their way.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?

A: Raising two children with my husband, who was really the backbone and support of our family. And with that, having two kids who have continued to contribute to society in a positive way. That feels very good.

Q: They say the apple does not fall far from the tree, and your daughter is gorgeous. You are also a very attractive woman. Beauty secrets?

A: I am an old traditionalist. I wash my face and brush my teeth. I try to eat healthy and get some exercise but that is about it. My daughter is the one who is really into a beauty regime.

Q: What would you tell your 18-year-old self now that you know all you know?

A: I would start with my 16-year-old self, which is when I started college. I got married at 20. I think I certainly would have married the same person, but I think I would have said to myself ‘go out and be who you are by yourself first. Get that job, support yourself, learn how to balance a checkbook, get some life skills as a single person and then commit yourself to family.’

Q: Would you ever write another book?

A: I don’t know. It would depend on the context or the request.

Q: Something no one knows about you?

A: I am such an open book, I can’t think of anything.

Tickets for the Amistad Center for Art and Culture’s Phenomenal Woman Luncheon Oct. 13 at the Hartford Hilton begin at $100 a person. Information for the luncheon is available at amistadartandculture.org