Myrlie Evers-Williams – Page 2 – The Mississippi Link

NAACP honors former leader, Medgar Evers, in Jackson

May 23, 2013 Kermit 0

NAACP leaders from around the country gathered in Jackson recently to honor the memory of their former leader, Medgar Evers and to hold their annual meeting.

Evers was assassinated nearly 50 years ago outside his home in Jackson.

NAACP president Benjamin Todd Jealous and board chairwoman Roslyn Brock helped Evers’ widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, lay a wreath at the home, now a museum on Thursday, May 16.

Evers-Williams told nearly 200 people that she still remembers hearing the shot that killed her husband in their carport on June 12, 1963. She and their three young children, Darrell, Reena and Van, were waiting up for him. […]

Myrlie Evers-Williams encourages UM Graduates to ‘Soar and Be Free’

May 13, 2013 Kermit 0

Evers-Williams, who worked for more than 30 years to seek justice for the 1963 murder of her well-known civil rights activist husband, Medgar Evers, is a former chairwoman of the NAACP and is widely credited with restoring the organization’s reputation and saving it from bankruptcy. Most recently, she delivered the invocation at the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, becoming the first woman to deliver a prayer at a presidential inauguration.

“The lifelong work of Dr. Evers-Williams to keep her husband’s memory alive and to progress his dream has been pivotal in the pathway from adoption of laws calling for fairness to the adoption of fairness into our societal expectations and interpersonal relationships,” said Chancellor Dan Jones, who presented the third University of Mississippi Humanitarian Award to the speaker, honoring her and her slain husband’s memory. […]

Alcorn announces Medgar Wiley Evers memorial statue dedication

April 25, 2013 Kermit 0

Medgar Wiley Evers had big dreams when he arrived on the campus of Alcorn A&M College in the summer of 1948. It is likely that those dreams involved becoming an All-American football player, participating in campus activities, and ultimately earning a college degree. It is hard to imagine that his dreams were enormous enough to predict the phenomenal impact his life and legacy would have on the United States and the world.

Yet, half a century after his untimely demise, thousands of Americans will journey to Mississippi to commemorate one of the foremost leaders in American civil rights history. […]

Events planned for 50th anniversary of Medgar Evers’ death

April 17, 2013 Kermit 2

Myrlie Evers, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute (MMEI), has announced plans for a national commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of her late husband Medgar Evers, Mississippi civil rights pioneer.

Events sponsored by the Institute will begin Wednesday, June 5, in Washington, D. C., and culminate with a community celebration, and tribute gala in Jackson, on Wednesday, June 12. Joining Mrs. Evers in the announcement were representatives of community organizations helping to sponsor the activities and hosting their own events.

Reena Evers-Everette, daughter of Medgar and Myrlie Evers and executive director of the MMEI, announced that a memorial service will be held at her father’s gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery on June 5 at noon.
[…]

“Back in the Day” month long presentations at New Hope Baptist Church bring history to life

March 7, 2013 admin 1

By Joy Brashears

and Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Special to The Mississippi Link

On Thursday, Feb. 28, New Hope Baptist Church culminated its month long celebration of Black History month, themed “Back in the Day,” with a tribute to Medgar Wiley Evers. Mrs. Myrlie Evers-Williams also was honored. Dr. Tonya Moore, the niece of Medgar, was the moderator.

Giving remarks were Medgar’s daughter Reena Evers-Everette and his brother Charles Evers. The children of New Hope brightened the program with their lively performances, including the song “Kum Ba Yah.”…. […]

Myrlie Evers-Williams keynote speaker at Alcorn alumni event in Atlanta

February 21, 2013 Kermit 2

Alcorn University’s Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence, civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams, will be speaking at an annual alumni event this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

Evers-Williams, 79, is the keynote speaker and her theme is: “Coming together, moving forward.”

More than 600 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of Alcorn State University will come together on Thursday, Feb. 21 through Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 for the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association’s annual Mid-Winter Conference.

“A Past to Cherish…. A Future to Fulfill” is the theme, and the meeting will be held at the Marriott Marquis Atlanta. […]

Proud to be Mississippian, Evers-Williams says

February 4, 2013 Kermit 0

Myrlie Evers-Williams says people praised her poise after her husband, Mississippi NAACP field secretary Medgar Evers, was assassinated 50 years ago in the state. But she says she struggled with wanting revenge.

Evers-Williams, 79, said at a prayer luncheon Thursday in Jackson that her faith helped her find peace, and her daughter once reminded her that Medgar Evers had taught people not to hate.

Now, Evers-Williams said: “I am proud to be a Mississippian. And I dare anyone to challenge me on that point.” […]

Myrlie Evers-Williams makes history at Obama’s second inauguration

January 24, 2013 admin 0

First woman, first layperson to deliver invocation

By Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Editor

Mississippi’s own Myrlie Evers-Williams, 79, widow of slain Mississippi civil rights leader Medgar Evers was the first woman and first layperson to give the invocation at a presidential inauguration. She did so on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 at the request of President Obama’s inauguration planning committee….. […]

The Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama

January 22, 2013 Kermit 0

“Faith in America’s Future.”

That was the theme of the 57th annual Presidential Inauguration Monday, with President Barack H. Obama being the 17th president to win a second term.

For more than 200 years, America’s citizens have witnessed the inauguration ceremonies of the President and Vice President of the United States. From the first inauguration of George Washington, in New York City, in 1789, till today, the swearing-in ceremonies represents both national renewal and a continuity of leadership. […]

Alcorn forum kicks off with Olympic winner Dr. John Carlos

April 19, 2012 Kermit 0

By Monica Land LORMAN – Alcorn State University is holding what they hope will be an annual forum this week entitled: Unity Through Diversity Week. The program is designed to bring the campus and community […]