AUBURN #- In 1963, during his famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. painted a picture of a society totally void of racial boundaries.
More than 40 years later, some Cayuga County residents are helping King's dream take shape.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP held its annual Martin Luther King Millennium Luncheon at the Holiday Inn in Auburn.
The affair was held to present four local residents with the 2007 Millennium Award, a prize bestowed on people who advocate for racial diversity in their communities.
This year's local recipients were John Plume, superintendent of the Auburn Enlarged Central School District; Patricia Glanville, owner of Costello's Restaurant in Auburn; Monique Wright-Williams, executive director of the Booker T. Washington Community Center; and Bessie Williams, an active member of several community organizations.
“We hold this luncheon every year to honor the pillars of our community,” said Eliezer Hernandez, president of the local NAACP chapter.
The board of directors of the local NAACP branch is diverse itself, Hernandez said, and each December board members bring forth candidates from varying backgrounds before deciding on the prize winners.
Plume is being recognized for his outstanding leadership, particularly for his hiring of minorities, Hernandez said.
“(He) has really dealt well with the racial issues and the diversity in our school district and our community.”
Glanville was honored for “being a Good Samaritan,” Hernandez said, after making a large donation to the school system to help defray the costs of busing to the football team's away playoff games.
Williams, who amongst other duties serves on the board of Options for Independence (an Auburn organization that aids individuals with disabilities), was honored for her outstanding service to various community programs, Hernandez explained.
And Wright-Williams?
“All you have to do is say her name, and you realize what an amazing person she is,” Hernandez said, noting her exceptional work with the community center and other organizations.
“Our goal ... is to fight the fight, and these people we're given awards to help us do that,” Hernandez said.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP held its annual Martin Luther King Millennium Luncheon at the Holiday Inn in Auburn.
The affair was held to present four local residents with the 2007 Millennium Award, a prize bestowed on people who advocate for racial diversity in their communities.
This year's local recipients were John Plume, superintendent of the Auburn Enlarged Central School District; Patricia Glanville, owner of Costello's Restaurant in Auburn; Monique Wright-Williams, executive director of the Booker T. Washington Community Center; and Bessie Williams, an active member of several community organizations.
“We hold this luncheon every year to honor the pillars of our community,” said Eliezer Hernandez, president of the local NAACP chapter.
The board of directors of the local NAACP branch is diverse itself, Hernandez said, and each December board members bring forth candidates from varying backgrounds before deciding on the prize winners.
Plume is being recognized for his outstanding leadership, particularly for his hiring of minorities, Hernandez said.
“(He) has really dealt well with the racial issues and the diversity in our school district and our community.”
Glanville was honored for “being a Good Samaritan,” Hernandez said, after making a large donation to the school system to help defray the costs of busing to the football team's away playoff games.
Williams, who amongst other duties serves on the board of Options for Independence (an Auburn organization that aids individuals with disabilities), was honored for her outstanding service to various community programs, Hernandez explained.
And Wright-Williams?
“All you have to do is say her name, and you realize what an amazing person she is,” Hernandez said, noting her exceptional work with the community center and other organizations.
“Our goal ... is to fight the fight, and these people we're given awards to help us do that,” Hernandez said.
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