WE GIVE YOU IDA R. FLYNN

By Dr. Ruth B. Stewart-Loving and Marjorie J. Hurst

February and our official celebration of Black History Month is over but what better way to keep the struggles of our past forever in our minds and, at the same time, usher in the month of March and Women’s History Month than to highlight a woman who has walked, marched, fought and dedicated her life to the struggle for freedom and equality here in Springfield. Indeed, this woman has made history, both as an African American and as a woman, while walking the walk, talking the talk, standing up and refusing to back down so many times, she is a legend in her own right.

This woman, this African American, this leader, this fearless fighter for civil rights is known by all of Springfield simply as “Ida.” And although she never required one to stand on pretense when dealing with her, she didn’t tolerate foolishness, and you definitely didn’t want to be on the wrong side of any issue Ida was championing, especially during her tenure as president of the NAACP.

Ida R. Flynn’s personal objective was to be of service to others in her community and to be a part of its civic activities. She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a good friend to have. A native of North Carolina, she graduated from Armour High School in Armour, NC, and attended ACT College in Greensboro, NC and took courses here at Springfield Technical Community College and the University of Massachusetts.

Married to SMSGT Albert T. Flynn for 32 years before his death on May 24, 1996, she is the mother of three daughters, Karen Pierce, Stephanie Brown and T-Tanya Pitt, grandmother to three and great grandmother to two. She has been an active member of Gardner Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church since 1959 and has served in the church in many leadership positions. Today she is chairperson of the Trustee Board.

Ida truly fulfilled her personal objective and was of service to others and an integral part of the civic fabric of Springfield, having served as a member of the Winchester Square Concerned Citizens, the Ward 5 Democratic Committee, the Springfield’s Girls Club Family Center, both as a board member and as president, and the role she is most remembered for, as president of the Springfield Branch of the National Association For the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1981 – 1989.

During her years as president of the NAACP, Ida experienced many successes. Some highlights include:

l The membership grew from 200 to over a thousand.

l The new Martin Luther King, Jr. flag was purchased, and the City Council was petitioned to pass a city ordinance allowing the flag to fly on the City Hall Esplanade from Dr. King’s holiday to the end of January.

l An ordinance was passed requiring students to have passing grades in order to participate in sports and other extra curricular activities.

l Complaints of housing and job discrimination were addressed along with the ineffective use of affirmative action plans in our city and school contracts receiving federal funding, i.e. The new Central High School.

And Ida didn’t stop just with addressing Springfield’s many problems, she also worked in surrounding communities that did not have a local NAACP branch. If there was a just cause, you knew you could call on her for support. She tackled the town of Northampton and its school department on the issue of racial discrimination, and lent her help to the town of Belchertown in an especially troubling murder case.

In recognition of Ida’s exceptional leadership, she received many awards and citations. When the Springfield NAACP established the James F. Hennessey Community Service Award in honor of another community activist and unselfish and tireless worker for civil rights, Ida became the first recipient of the award. She was presented with the Woman of the Year Community Service Award from the Big Will Express Athletic Club and former Governor Michael Dukakis cited her for her leadership in Springfield area civil rights activities, which was followed by a citation from the Massachusetts Senate. The Massachusetts State Black Legislative Caucus presented her with their Outstanding Service Award and the Museum of Afro American History added her to its Roll of Honor – composed of 350 men and women of courage and commitment.

Today in 2007, this charming and gracious, determined and forceful African American woman is still a force to be reckoned with. Her name is synonymous with service, commitment, dedication and an unwavering faith in the ideals for which the country was formed – equality for all. Her presence still commands and demands answers to those ever-present issues of race that keep rearing their ugly heads. And her voice is a reminder that silence gets us nowhere.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing Ida R. Flynn to walk among us and lead us and please, Lord, continue to allow the sun to shine around and about her and her people. n