Image via WikipediaJustice's widow speaks at African-American site celebration - The Boston GlobeBy Emma Stickgold, Globe Correspondent | October 11, 2010
She spoke softly as she shared the words of her husband, the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, yesterday afternoon, plucking words from a speech he gave more than two decades ago that talked of citizenship and equal rights.
Reading from a 1987 speech delivered by her late husband, the first African-American to serve on the Supreme Court, Cecilia Marshall drew a standing ovation before she offered these lines before a sizable audience at Converse Hall in the Tremont Temple Baptist Church: “For a sense of the evolving nature of the Constitution we need look no further than the first three words of the document’s preamble: ‘We the People.’ When the Founding Fathers used this phrase in 1787, they did not have in mind the majority of America’s citizens.’’
Marshall was part of a team of prominent people who read fragments of speeches originally delivered by historical figures like Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Boston African American National Historic Site.
Of landing Marshall as a speaker, Beverly Morgan-Welch, the executive director of the Museum of African American History, which is part of the site, said, “It made only good sense to have her present, given all the incredible work of her husband, so we asked her and she said, ‘Yes.’ ’’
Earlier in the evening, Morgan-Welch explained to attendees that recent news of federal stimulus money — roughly $4 million — coming their way was just what was needed to make restorations to the African Meeting House, the oldest existing black church in the country. That work, she said, is expected to be completed by early December.
“This 4 million will really push them to the finish line,’’ said Sean Hennessey, a National Park Service spokesman.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino lauded the success of African Americans in Boston in the 18th and 19th centuries, saying they changed the nation’s history.
“This anniversary has so much meaning to our city,’’ he added.
Menino said that while celebrating a rich history is important, looking to the future is equally critical.
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