DAVID MEEKS, Waterloo Human Rights Commission | Posted: Sunday, August 17, 2008 12:00 am
Albeit, there are more than 100 outstanding individuals who have blazed a path toward the advancement of social justice and equality. All deserve our appreciation and sincere gratitude for their work in making progress a reality. There are some identifiable symbols of which we can look toward how far we have come and maybe need to go.
I have taken on the challenging task of identifying five individuals who symbolize our progress and have made an impact over the past 40 years - since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sen. Robert Kennedy - in the defined areas of social action, education and community building.
Anna Mae Weems
For more than 40 years, Anna Mae Weems has addressed issues within this community involving education in the K-12 school system. She was instrumental in challenging the busing redistricting in the '70s and multicultural curriculum in the schools in the '80s and beyond. Weems has continued to work toward jobs and placement of minorities. Her Urban Potential Program has specifically developed training programs to teach racial sensitivity to local law enforcement and the national FBI level.
Ms. Weems has been a continued advocate for the less fortunate in need for advocacy.
B.J. Furgerson
In an era when females and minorities were being perceived as on the outside of government, Ms. Furgerson trailed a path by serving within government from the '70s and beyond. She served as the first female director for the Waterloo Commission on Human Rights, impacting the climate for social change for equality. Her service to the Iowa Board of Regents for many years gave an elevation to the need for educational advancement and commitment to student equity. Ms. Furgerson's work on the city's Civil Service Commission promoted an emphasis for diversity participation in government through employment.
Dr. Ruth Anderson
While some change agents were addressing the establishments to eliminate barriers, Dr. Anderson's contribution was being among the first African-American female social workers in the county. She raised the conscience of individuals from the '70s through her work and addressed the social and economic impacts on families through programs.
Dr. Anderson continued her work at the University of Northern Iowa where she acted as faculty adviser to the Multicultural Center. As adviser and faculty, Dr. Anderson has been influential in polishing to maturity some of the most talented individuals abroad and minority students from this community.
Jimmie Porter
Having migrated to Waterloo from Mississippi prior to the '70s, Mr. Jimmie Porter has become synonymous with how "one person can make a difference." While employed at the former Rath Packing Co., Porter was instrumental in influencing better wages and environment via unions.
As an agent for change he became a bridge to foster dialogues, address school boards and community responses to a plethora of issues. Porter's leadership and efforts established the "Community Enabler's Office" and spawned him the founder of KBBG Broadcasting Inc. He utilized his ability to make change and progress with the presence of KBBG Radio where the motto of "communicate to educate" became a movement for advancement until his death in 2007.
J. Russell Lowe
With developing young hearts and minds, J. Russell Lowe becomes symbolic, having served as a teacher in the Waterloo schools during three decades. He had an important impact on students on many levels and was instrumental in preparing them with tools to face adulthood.
He served as a tireless agent for change as the local NAACP president for many years, advocating for advancements for people and eliminating many cause and effects.
Lowe served on numerous boards and commissions, which have been influential in the presence of African-Americans in government until his death in 2007.
Collectively, Ms. Weems, Dr. Anderson, Ms. Furgerson, Mr. Porter and Mr. Lowe have connected many dots on a local map over the last 40 years since the 1968 assassinations, and represent efforts and progress in the areas of social action, education and community building.
One could take any five from a list of 100 and make a similar case for progress. Catalysts such as Dr. Walter Cunningham, Mary Theroith, Mary Berdell, Leon Mosley and Walter Reed Jr. just to name a few. I encourage everyone to share such examples of symbols as their stories need to be told, lest we forget.
I am certain after 40 years, Dr. King and Sen. Kennedy would reflect upon them all and say, "well done!"