MRS. WANDA J. BURNSIDE is an award-winning poet and writer. Since 1976, she has received over 20 national and local honors in writing. At the age of 20, while a student at the University of Detroit, she received her first poetry award from Broadside Press. In 1999, she received both "The Writer of the Year Award" and "The Persistence Writer of the Year Award" from the American Christian Writers Association.

Mrs. Burnside has written over 500 poems and 22 performed plays for children. Her articles, devotionals, prayers, short stories and gospel tracts are regularly published in magazines, journals, newspapers, and Anthologies.

Wanda is:

• The NEWLY APPOINTED PRESIDENT of The Called and Ready Writers of Detroit, founded by Dr. Mary Edwards, Poetry Editor, a teacher, mentor, and contributing writer in their newsletter.

• The Founder and President of Write the Vision Ministries. It is a ministry of anointed written words bringing inspiration, hope and life through Christ to all.

• Since 1995, she has published eight gospel tracts with over 5,000 distributed across the United States, Canada and Honduras.

• The Founder and President of The Mother Willie Lee Palm Foundation, established to continue the legacy and vital mission of her mother to help the needy, support youth programs, and give monetary donations to charitable organizations.

She has been published in the following magazines:

• 2-Soar

• The Gospel Truth

• The Christian Information Network

• Totally Gospel

• Evangel Light and Life Communications

• Purpose

• Standard

• Verses

• The African American Journal

• Editor, Detroit Church World

Her writing has been featured in several newspapers:

• The Spiritual Voice News

• The Michigan Chronicle Prize winning "Women of Purpose" story titled "A SLICE OF MAMA’S PIE" May 7-13, 2003

• The Covenant News

• The Michigan Front Page

• The Catholic Reviews

She can be seen in E-ZINES:

• Tributes

• The Scroll

• Poetry of Today

• The Library of Poetry

Some of her best known GOSPEL TRACTS:

• "Matchless Love"

• "Lord Bless the Children"

• "You are Not Alone"

• "Friendship"

• "How Many Times?

• "A Prayer Can Reach Heaven"

• "Eagles’ Wings"

• "Winning the Big Race"

• "Where is Guilt?"

Wanda has written three books: Rejections - 12 Steps to Recovery, The Christian Poetry Guide and Free From It!   In 2005, her poem "A Prayer Can Reach Heaven" was produced in a flash movie seen online on the Called and Ready Writers web site. This production has received outstanding reviews. In 2006, two new books were published: Ten Tips for Writers and With All of My Heart.

In 1972, Wanda married Mr. Simmie Lee Burnside, Jr. He is the manager of Write the Vision Ministries and is active in several other ministries. Also in 1972, she graduated from the University of Detroit with a B.S. in Humanities/Early Education. Wanda has taught grades K-7 in public and private schools in the Detroit area. In 1987, Wanda was honored as "Personalities of American for Service to the Teaching Profession" by the American Biographical Institute.

She is certified in several Christian ministries from William Tyndale College. Wanda further pursued Christian education at Charles Harrison Mason Bible College in Detroit. She is one of their founding students.

Throughout the years she has received many distinguished awards for church and community services. In 1990, The Congress of National Black Churches presented her with the "Laity Leadership Award." The following year, in 1991, The Association of Christian Business Owners honored her with "The Founder’s Award" for outstanding service to the Church of God in Christ by a Layperson.

Marquis Who’s Who in America has included her in their biographical publications. In 1993, 1994 and 1995, she was noted in the International "Who’s Who of Professional and Business Women." In 2003 and 2004, she was honored as "Who’s Who in America Women." In 2005, she has been honored again with this award.

Wanda is a masterful Award-Winning cook. Her recipes have won prestigious awards from Faygo Beverages, Progressive Soups, Weight Watchers, Thornapple Valley and several other national companies. The Detroit Writers Guild selected her "Sweet Potato Oatmeal Cookies Recipe" as a winner in their contest. It appears in their historical cookbook titled, "Spirit."