Welcome to my website! I'm Jeanne Starr Gater, Author of Bring Back Summertime.
About the Author
Jeanne Starr Gater was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, but spent most of her youth in Chicago,Illinois. She is a graduate of Carver High School in Chicago, where she received numerous awards and honors, the highest distinction being: "Most Outstanding Senior Graduate." The author holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from De Paul University and a Master's Degree in Popular Culture/Broadcast Communications from Governor's State University. Her prolific background includes working as a Teacher and Office Occupations Coordinator at her alma mater, Carver High, in Chicago; and as Teacher/Yearbook Advisor at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI. Jeanne also worked as Assistant Editorial Community Affairs Director for WLS-TV in Chicago before her promotion to Detroit to become Director of Editorial/Community Affairs for WXYZ Radio; both ABC owned stations. Ms. Starr Gater won a number of editorial awards before becoming a television reporter at WKZO T.V. in Kalamazoo, MI, and at WDHO Television in Toledo, Ohio where she also hosted, Community Close Up. Her stellar resume includes a modeling and acting career which began while attending De Paul University and working part-time for former Olympian Track Star, Jesse Owens. His public relations firm used her for promotional ads for a number of their clients; and Jeanne after completing her degree was recruited for modeling and acting jobs through the Shirley Hamilton Agency in Chicago, Illinois.Years later, after her husband's near-fatal auto accident, Jeanne Starr Gater chose to stay close to home to monitor his recovery and to keep her family unit stable and moving forward. She was prompted to write her story by many of her colleagues in broadcasting.As an educator and author, Ms. Starr Gater has come full circle. Her willingness to share her inspirational true story, Bring Back Summertime, with others is joined with her work to motivate and inspire children and youth across the United States with her Supa Dupa Babee Anti-Drugs, Anti-Violence Curriculum. Her muscular, multicultural Supa Dupa Babee character was first launched through a public service announcement against drugs and violence through Jeanne's Higher and Higher television program. The flying Supa Dupa Babee later became Castleberry Toy's flagship character reaching kids through his adventure series booklets, music, games, and videos. Jeanne said, as an educator, she learned through the years that you could teach students to excel and truly believe in themselves once they developed 'super duper' mindsets promoting strong character and self esteem. Taking a journey that focused on family and community speaks volumes about this remarkable woman who against all odds was able keep her family together as she fought steadily to Bring Back Summertime. Giving to family and community the greater of her talents is a sincere testament to her faith and belief in the strength of the human spirit which is highlighted throughout her honest discourse shared with readers in Bring Back Summertime. Jeanne Starr Gater's three children fared remarkably well during the family's struggles giving much credence to the underlying theme of triumph over tragedy highlighted throughout her riveting story. Jeanne's ability to bring readers into the fold of Bring Back Summertime will have audiences rooting against all odds for the full recovery of "Dr. J."
About my latest book, Bring Back Summertime
When Jeanne Starr Gater picks up the phone one morning, she receives the shock of her life. Her strong, robust, athletic husband, Dr. Julius Gater, is in the hospital! -- comatose, suffering from a stroke, broken bones ... Dr. "J" IS DYING!! A car accident that morning has left her husband unconscious, though still alive and hanging on for dear life! ..And it had been a good life -- full of sunshine! Why this! .. Dear GOD! ... Why this?! She knows she must get to him -- and fast! They had come through too much together. If she gets to the hospital in time, they will come through this awful thing too But she needs all her resources now. In her inner spirit, she petitions her God for mercy and compassion and strength to bring Dr. 'J" back from near death. Next, over time, she contacts her family and friends for their positive thoughts and prayers. She begins her long hard journey to "BRING BACK SUMMERTIME." Thus begins the remarkable true story of one woman's courage and faith in the face of the bitterest of odds, and one man's miraculous recovery despite doctor's dire predictions. Family, and friends, new and old gather round to offer support, faith and love, as the Gaters' begin their trek back to a normal life. They encounter incredible (and numerous) obstacles from resistant medical personnel and uncooperative rehabilitation staff, to other family misfortunes. Their very survival as a family depends on their determination to hold fast to their hopes and faith. BRING BACK SUMMERTIME is a soul searching story of a family's struggle for the restoration of physical strength, grace and human dignity. A story that portrays the power and strength of human bonding, prayer and the belief in the power of god to sustain and revive. This family somehow does not allow itself to be thrown even by this devastating accident. They continue their noteworthy accomplishments, as they struggle to deal with the prolonged recovery of Dr. "J". Their story is truly an inspiration to all.
