-Compiled and edited by Shawn Nowlin
Who is Diane Speaks?
I am a retired flight attendant who travels all around the world. I have been happily married to Arnold Speaks from Baltimore for 52 years. I am a proud mother of four. I am someone who would do community service if it was all that I could do. If I had Oprah Winfrey’s money, I would give most of it away to help the community.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. Being a military brat, I lived in different places growing up – London, Japan and New Jersey. I strongly encourage people to get their passports, if they haven’t already done so. The world is so much bigger than America.
After high school, what was the next chapter in your life?
I got married right after high school. We lived in Japan for several years, before relocating to Baltimore and ultimately, Roanoke. In Japan, I learned so much from others. At the time, there were a lot of opportunities for women of color to model, so I took full advantage of that.
What is some advice that you were given growing up that stuck with you?
I have a few actually: “Enjoy the world,” “Be independent,” “Don’t be afraid to experience things out of your comfort zone” and “Never apologize for who you are.” I tell people all the time that it’s a shame to limit yourself to just what you see in front of you.
How did She’s International Boutique come about?
So, I was a flight attendant for 33 years with Piedmont Airlines which later became American Airlines. After Sept. 11, 2001, the company took 40 percent of our pay. The executives didn’t lose a dime, but we practically lost everything. I had a daughter at Duke University at the time. They wanted their money, so I started a second business in January 2004 to generate some extra revenue.
After nearly two decades of serving the community, why was now the right time to call it a career?
While business has been good in recent years, 2024 was not the case. Our money normally comes from the Hotel Roanoke. They do six conferences a week, and we benefit tremendously from that much traffic. Usually in business, you can predict which months are going to be better than others. The average lifespan of a small business is eight years. I’m grateful that I was able to successfully run She’s International Boutique for twice that long
Who are the individuals that have had the biggest impact on your life, both personally and professionally?
Several individuals come to mind. I would certainly say my aunt, Gussella Gelzer. She was very involved in my life as a young person. She would take me all through Philadelphia. She was a member of the Delta Sorority. When my children were in college, she really invested in them. She was always there whenever I needed her.
The same can be said for Vanessa Haskins, a very good friend for over 40 years.
Are you involved with any organizations?
I am a member of the NAACP, Professional Women Resources and Roanoke Professional Women for Good. All are dear to my heart. From day one, it was important that I was connected to my community though, the Black community.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love to travel, especially to visit New York City. I love to visit Italy too. All I can say is good wine, good food and good-looking men are a great combination. I love to spend quality time with friends and family too.
If you could go back and give your 13-year-old self some advice, what would it be?
“Don’t let anybody shame you from being yourself. People are going to have an opinion about you regardless. You might as well live your life to the fullest.”