Evanston residents celebrated women’s role in the Civil Rights Movement at an event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy Saturday.
The city’s MLK Day of Celebration, held at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, recognized “The Black Women’s Legacy in the Movement” with related speeches and performances.
“It’s an honor to stand before you as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” keynote speaker and Evanston YWCA President and CEO Cherese Ledet said. “But today, we have a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on an often overlooked truth: the transformative role that women have played and continue to play in movements for equity and justice.”
To supplement Ledet’s keynote speech, there were numerous musical performances throughout the afternoon. Quartet MC4 opened the event with a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Dancer and poet Marsae Mitchell, a second-year Northwestern Ph.D. candidate in Performance Studies, poured a libation to honor her ancestors while alluding to Black artists like South African singer Miriam Makeba. Spoken word artist Darlin’ Mikki, dance group Ayodele Drum & Dance and vocalist Qiana McNary also performed.
Mayor Daniel Biss also spoke at the event. Ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Biss encouraged “solidarity” in the face of approaching “hard times.”
“The time is always right to do what is right,” Biss said. He later added, “When we do that, I know that we can thrive, following the lessons of Dr. King.”
Evanston resident Cece Cofer said that she enjoyed the event and that it was “sentimental” to her as her mother marched with King.
Cofer said that events like these are valuable because they provide knowledge about Black history to those who may not be educated about it.
In his remarks, Ald. Bobby Burns (5th) echoed this sentiment. Burns said that he had asked his son what he knew about King before the event, and he was surprised when his son did not know “enough.”
“It is our responsibility as we convene in places like this to carry this message on, to carry this information on to future generations so that they can complete the work and so that they can make sure that those basic rights are always protected for all of us,” Burns said.
In an effort to share this history, emcee Alexis Harris-Dyer continually reminded listeners of the many Black women who participated in the movement. Among others, Harris-Dyer referred to Nina Simone and Coretta Scott King.
Dyer noted Coretta Scott King’s efforts beyond her support for her husband’s work, recalling how Coretta Scott King founded the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and how she championed women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality and global peace.
Speakers reminded the audience of a continuous push for justice.
“The torch of justice and equality burns bright, not because of any one person, but because of the many hands that had carried it forward,” Ledet said. “Today, let us be the ones to take it higher together.”
Email: sophiebaker2028@u.northwestern.edu
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