Scientologist Patricia Gore is a “first” lady.
She was the first in her family to finish college and receive a master’s degree, first to move away from home, first to work eight years for the Congress of the United States—during the Carter and Reagan administrations, and the first Black ever to have achieved the State of Clear on African soil.
A pioneer and leader, she has the courage to take risks and the knack of landing on her feet. But as energetic and tenacious as she is today, in 1983 she was physically, spiritually and mentally exhausted.
“My mother had mental health problems, and because I was the oldest, when I was growing up I took care of her and my four younger sisters,” she says. “I knew that if I didn't make it, none of them would. And with two of my cousins also having problems, I was afraid I would end up crazy too. I wanted a better life.”
A man she was dating at the time told her about Scientology and the State of Clear—a being who no longer has his own reactive mind, the hidden source of irrational behavior, unreasonable fears, upsets and insecurities.
“I told him, ‘Now, you know that’s not possible.’ But just in case I was wrong, I looked up the address in the phone book and went to the Church of Scientology in D.C.,” she says, “and, as they say, the rest is history.”
Her Scientology training and spiritual counseling—auditing—had tremendous impact on her life and, through her, on her family and community.
Since 1995, Gore has been a member of Ebony Awakening, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring dignity and self-respect in Black communities by eradicating drug abuse, illiteracy and criminality.
“The group was inspired by Mr. Hubbard’s ‘Message to Black People,’ written in 1961 in the height of civil rights unrest,” says Gore. “His message invites Black people to use the technology of Scientology so our people can ‘take their place amongst the most brilliant people of earth.’”
Through the annual African American Achievement Awards at the Fort Harrison religious retreat in Clearwater, Florida, Ebony Awakening pays tribute to religious leaders, entertainers, sports figures, community leaders and educators who empower their communities. The group organized a conference of ministers from Baptist and African Methodist Episcopal churches and the Nation of Islam.
“Bringing these leaders together was ‘pure magic,’” she says. “They discovered they had much more in common than not. They began and have since continued to work together to solve our common problems.”
As
she approached three decades as a Scientologist, Gore reached a
crossroads. In the previous two years, she lost her father and three of
her closest and dearest friends.
“On their death beds, each of them realized they had not accomplished all they were meant to do,” says Gore. “I had to decide whether to continue going on having Scientology be the sideshow in my life or give it center stage.”
Center stage it became. Gore took on an executive position at the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, D.C., where she is responsible for the Church’s community outreach in the District and throughout the southern mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.
“What I like best about my work for the Church is the expectancy and the competence you gain. You are always treated as an able person who can get it done, and as you routinely do the impossible, your spiritual muscles become firm and toned,” she says. “Being a Scientologist is an honor that I strive to live up to each day. I have what I always wanted—true answers. I know how to know. That empowers all.”
To learn more about Scientology and view videos of more than 200 Scientologists, visit the Scientology website.
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The popular “Meet a Scientologist” profiles on the Church of Scientology International Video Channel at Scientology.org now total more than 200 broadcast-quality documentary videos featuring Scientologists from diverse locations and walks of life. The personal stories are told by Scientologists who are educators, teenagers, skydivers, a golf instructor, a hip-hop dancer, IT manager, stunt pilot, mothers, fathers, dentists, photographers, actors, musicians, fashion designers, engineers, students, business owners and more.
A digital pioneer and leader in the online religious community, in April 2008 the Church of Scientology became the first major religion to launch its own official YouTube Video Channel, with videos now viewed more than 7 million times.
