Have you ever read the part of the Constitution of the United States that states, “All men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?” As an African-American citizen remembering events during the Civil Rights era in the early 1940s, I’ve always been a member of different committees working to ensure these legal rights of life, liberty and our pursuit of happiness over the years.

       However, Northern states didn’t freely grant those civil rights to all people. I was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in New Haven, CT and when I moved to Springfield in the early 1940s as a young bride, I became a member of Springfield’s NAACP. I found one of its busiest committees was the Legal Redress Committee because of instances of police brutality in the black community. The Education Committee was another busy committee focusing on teachers and curriculum issues in the schools located in Springfield’s poorest neighborhoods.

            Years later in 1968, cities across our United States and countries around the world were shocked to learn of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968. Shortly after the news of his assassination, Rev. James H. Hamer and the newly-formed Pastors Council, held a memorial service for him on the Winchester Square Triangle. There was an audience of about 150,000 people in attendance.  In August of that same year I became deeply concerned that there were no plans for a citywide service. I asked for an appointment with then Mayor Frank Freedman to air my concerns. I asked the mayor if there was going to be a citywide memorial service and he said, “No.”  He said that because it was August and vacation time he didn’t have anyone to chair the event. After further discussion I was shocked when Mayor Freedman asked me to chair it. The mayor went on to say he would give me full support during the entire planning. I quietly answered, “I’ll do the best I can.”

       I then worked with a committee which planned the citywide memorial service for Dr. King on what would have been his 40th birthday, January 15, 1969. It was held at Springfield Symphony Hall. A mass choir of 227 voices, which later became the Freedom Choir, presented the music. And for 41 years thereafter, Springfield has held an annual citywide memorial service celebrating Dr. King’s life and legacy on January 15th. And 41 years later, the Freedom Choir is still going strong!  n