avatarNapoleon

Summary

The website content details the inspiring story of Tanqueray, a 70-year-old black woman whose life story, shared through Humans of New York, has led to a successful GoFundMe campaign, raising over $2.6 million for her.

Abstract

The narrative of Tanqueray, shared on Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton, has captivated the online community, leading to an outpouring of support and donations exceeding $2.6 million. Tanqueray, whose real name is Stephanie, has become a symbol of resilience and hope as her story of a life filled with hardship, love, crime, and dreams resonates with thousands. Her candid recounting of her past, including her time in prison, her move to New York City, and her experiences in the 1970s, has touched many lives. The fundraising campaign, organized as the Tanqueray Trust, aims to provide Stephanie with financial security in her later years. The author of the website content reflects on the impact of Tanqueray's story during the pandemic, drawing parallels between her life and the struggles faced by people today, and emphasizes the enduring power of storytelling.

Opinions

  • The author believes that Tanqueray's story is a beacon of hope and love in a world made uncertain by the pandemic.
  • Tanqueray's life narrative, characterized by its honesty and depth, is seen as a lesson and a source of comfort for readers.
  • The author expresses admiration for the generosity of the 53,000 donors who have contributed to the Tanqueray Trust, surpassing the initial $1 million goal.
  • The story of Tanqueray is presented as an example of how consequential strangers can significantly impact one's life.
  • The author feels that Tanqueray's story is a reminder of the beauty of the world and the importance of listening to others' experiences.
  • There is an opinion that Tanqueray's life, with its many facets, including crime, sex, drugs, and hustle, is a testament to the diversity and complexity of human life.
  • The author suggests that Tanqueray's story, particularly her interracial love story with Carmine, illustrates the universality of human experiences and emotions.
  • The narrative is seen as an ongoing saga, with the author expressing curiosity about the future developments in Tanqueray's life.

New York City

The Tanqueray Trust

Who is Tanqueray and why is her story still unfolding

Source: GoFundMe page

The Tanqueray Trust

A happy ending. But wait, the ending isn’t the story of the Tanqueray Trust reaching its fundraising goal. It is only part of the story. By the way, you can still donate by heading to the GoFundMe page here.

Our update in the continuing story of Humans of New York, Tanqueray, her GoFundMe page has over $2.6 million in dollar tips.

Lately, I have been feeling off. To be honest, I have been sad, and reading this story helps me understand that the world we live in today, while uncertain because of the pandemic is still a world full of love and hope.

Who is Tanqueray

I only read about Tanqueray on Facebook today. I always believe that stories come into our lives when we need to hear about them, to teach us a lesson, to make us feel better, or to make us hear God when He whispers to us.

The good news, Tanqueray becomes a millionaire today. The greatest storyteller of 2020 is now a millionaire.

The generosity of the almost 53,000 donors, to me they are her fans, has made the Tanqueray Trust fundraise $1.2 million as of today, 200K more than the goal of $1 million.

Tanqueray is the stage name of Stephanie. Her story was first brought to us by Brandon Stanton, the photographer behind the popular blog, Humans of New York. Her story resonated with us because she is speaking her truth.

We all love to read and listen to a good story and once you read her story, you’ll be hooked.

Truth is stranger than fiction — Mark Twain

I often wonder what happens next, to people who become viral sensations. But with so many stories we read on social media, we forget. The 15-minute fame ends as soon as another story captivates us on social media.

But with Tanqueray, it doesn’t end because her story continues.

I hear what the Universe is telling me — that the world continues to be beautiful, even if we don’t participate in it.

We weave our own stories and we learn from them, but we also learn from the stories of other people.

Listen, when God whispers to us. — Napoleon

Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash

Six months into the pandemic, the world as we know it is gone. Today, what I learned from Tanqueray is how she tells her story in all honesty.

And that is what I aspire to become — an honest writer.

Consequential Strangers

If you look at how it all started, it was a chance meeting between two strangers. An unlikely alliance that brought what could be the most inspiring story to come out this year.

A story of humanity that will give us hope as we cope during the most uncertain time in recent history.

I wrote about Consequential strangers, you can read it here.

Our life is one big movie, family and friends play supporting roles, but like in any movie, there are cameo roles played by strangers, not total strangers but consequential strangers, they punctuate our lives, they offer us a different perspective, unlike what we can get from our family and friends.

Early this year, I was walking home from the gym on a particularly cold day. I was still dressed in my running clothes. And as I neared my home, I passed by a 76-year old woman dressed in a floor length faux mink coat. She was gripping tightly to a railing. ‘You look great,’ I told her. Then she pointed at my own clothes — ‘Let me ask you a question,’ she said. ‘Why is it always white boys who wear shorts in the winter?’

There is hope when the news today that the Tanqueray Trust has reached its goal, and officially made her a millionaire. It was the best news I heard in months.

It will give Stephanie a life that she truly deserves and as Brandon Stanton said, “Stephanie’s health has taken a bad turn, and she’s in a tough spot.”

I am captivated by her story, it has all the elements of a great book. A life well examined, she didn’t mince words, she spoke her truth.

An account of her life, the memories of the past, a story that can be anyone’s story today as we all struggle to continue to find meaning in our own lives.

Her life isn’t over yet, and so is mine.

What I learned so far from Tanqueray which I can use as a storyteller

Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

Write in all honesty.

1. Strong introduction

  • A bigger-than-life main character, Tanqueray will get your attention.
  • The story is set in New York.
  • The main character is a black woman, now in her 70s, a recollection of stories from a time we can all still remember, the 70s.

2. Back story

  • A family
  • An unloving mother
  • Childhood memories

3. Introduce the main character

  • Early crush
  • More childhood memories

4. Sharing her dreams, living in a white world

  • Talks about race
  • Her dreams
  • First love, first sex
  • Being brokenhearted

5. Family drama

  • Unwanted pregnancy
  • More family drama
  • Life in prison

6. Hardship

  • Uncertainty of what the future holds
  • A conversation with a fellow prison inmate who can foretell the future.

She told me,that I’d live my entire life in New York City. And I’d only be in love once. And that it would be a tough life. And a lonely life. But that one day a lot of people would know my name. And the craziest shit about it, is that every single thing came true. Well, almost everything. Roberta told me that I’d come into some real big money one day. And that better happen quick. Cause I’m already 76.

7. Future unfolds

  • New beginning
  • Being in New York City
  • Adulthood

8. Happy times

  • Living a dream

9. Black Stephanie

  • Crime
  • Sex
  • Drugs
  • Hustle

10. Friends

  • Vicki
  • More sex
  • Scandal

11. Hollywood

  • The Temptations
  • James Brown
  • More sex

‘Excuse me Mr. Brown, but Geri Miller would like her coat back.’

12. More Hollywood

  • The Temptations
  • Of what could have been
  • Lost chances

13. BB King

  • Go go dancing
  • Blues
  • Gets dark

14. Oscar

  • Tricks
  • Sex
  • A lifetime friend

15. Love story

  • Carmine
  • Interracial love story

16. Sex and secrets

  • Trusting someone with secrets
  • A love story

17. Crime

  • Drugs
  • Crime
  • Romance

18. Love story ends

  • Hustle
  • Breakup

And he’s the only one I told when things started going south with Carmine.

To be continued …

Follow the full series, Tattletales From Tanqueray, and please continue to support Tanqueray or Stephanie by donating to her GoFundMe page here.

People
New York
Social Media
Photography
Tanqueray
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