Shirley Washington

■ DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: Sept. 2, 1948, Gethsemane

■ FAMILY: Frank Washington Jr., and I are the parents of three children, Paula Washington Smith, a teacher in the Little Rock School District; Codney Adan Washington, an entrepreneur, contractor and lifelong mentor; and Ketina Washington Nelson, a registered nurse at John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital.

■ MY FAVORITE MOVIE IS: “War Room.”

■ ONE THING I CONSIDER THE CORE ELEMENT OF A GOOD LEADER IS: The ability to inspire and motivate, and inspire others to create a knowledge base, because that is important to building support for goals.

■ A PERSONAL MOTTO OF MINE IS: No matter what you choose to do in life, choose to do your best.

■ THE ONE THING I KNOW TO BE TRUE ABOUT ALL PEOPLE IS: Everyone wants to be loved and respected.

■ IF I COULD HAVE DINNER WITH THREE FIGURES FROM HISTORY THEY WOULD INCLUDE: The Lord Jesus, Harriet Tubman and Joe Clark.

■ THE BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT WAS: From my mother. She would always tell me, “If anyone else can do it, you can too.”

■ MY IDEA OF THE PERFECT SATURDAY MUST INCLUDE: Time outside working in my yard.

■ MY GUILTY PLEASURES ARE: Pound cake, Coca-Cola and peanuts.

■ ONE THING I’D CHANGE ABOUT MYSELF, IF I COULD, IS: I would slow down and get more rest.

■ THE FAVORITE PLACE I’VE EVER LIVED IS: Los Angeles, Calif., due to the climate — warm days and cool nights and mornings most of the year.

■ THE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE ME: Relentless