Book Lovers pt. 6: Diamond Doris

By: Jay Dee, MPH

Diamond Doris with Zelda Lockhart

Our childhood experiences often shape the trajectory of our lives, and Doris Payne’s story proves that in the most unexpected way. Doris grew up watching her jealous, abusive father beat her mother. As a little girl, she coped by creating an imaginary husband—one she could beat up, the way she wished her mother could fight back. Even then, Doris made a promise: she would take care of her mother, never marry, and never let a man control her. Independence was always the goal, even if she didn’t yet know the path.

One day, while trying on watches in Mr. Benjamin’s store, Doris witnessed his mask slip. The moment a certain customer walked in, Mr. Benjamin’s demeanor flipped, revealing the ugly truth of his racism. That moment cracked open her world.

From around age 9 all the way into her 80s, Doris Payne lived a life most could only imagine—traveling the globe, stealing diamonds, and moving them on the black market. A Black woman mastering white-collar crime, with no man as her downfall? Iconic.

Her legacy is so legendary that Halle Berry is set to portray her in a motion picture. And today, Doris—now in her 90s, living in Atlanta—is still every bit the unapologetic, fearless bad bitch she always promised herself she’d be.

Did I mention this is a true story?

Let me know if you'll be adding this to your book shelf.

Until Next Time,

The Vagina Liberator