AUBURN - The 34th Annual Harriet Tubman Pilgrimage began at 10 a.m. Saturday with a memorial service at the Tubman grave site in Fort Hill Cemetery. Gathered at the grave site were a number of Tubman descendants and dignitaries from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, along with about 200 others.
Mary E. Marshall, program chairman, organized the event, attended by people from all over the northeast and some from Africa.
Children from the Greater Work Fellowship of A.M.E. Zion Church in Hartford, Conn., paraded from the Tubman Home to Fort Hill Cemetery carrying a banner.
“This is Harriet's day,” Bishop George E. Battle Jr., presiding prelate of the Northeast Region of the A.M.E. Zion Church said in his dedication. “We are privileged and honored just to be alive for this historic day. Neighbor, if you're mad, get glad. We're going to have a good time.”
“To that child carrying a flag,” he said, “you will never know what that did to our hearts. This is about raising awareness of a lady that was a true, true warrior of equality for all people...”
After the placing of the wreath on the grave, Battle gave the benediction, in which he said, “... This will be the first National Park Services given to an African American lady in the U.S. of A.”
“I wish we could have her body exhumed and put on her own property,” Battle said, acknowledging that her spot in Fort Hill is quite beautiful.
Everyone then went to the Tubman home on South Street Road for an 11 a.m. ceremony.
The Zion Chorale performed a series of spiritual selections enthusiastically received by those assembled.
Marshall, spoke, referring to the two buildings on the site and the renovations done on the library and Harriet Tubman's home. The large assembly hall, a multipurpose building designed to hold 350 people, was too small to accommodate the more than 600 in attendance.
The Rev. Paul Carter, resident manager of the Harriet Tubman home, said, “... When we look and see what she stands for, her mission is still ongoing.”
“We want our children to come in and understand what Harriet Tubman means, not only to A.M.E. Zion Church but to the entire world.” he said. “She is the representative of all the poor, downtrodden people of the world.”
Auburn mayor Michael Quill presented a proclamation declaring May 24 Harriet Tubman Day. Quill said his grandparents had owned the property across the street from the Tubman site, Quill's hill.
Keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Shaw, 16th International President of the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society of the A.M.E. Zion Church, who presides over more than 800,000 women on five continents urged the crowd to get involved in the pilgrimage for justice.
Donations for the Harriet Tubman Foundation followed. Checks for $1,000 from Harriet Tubman's 300s, $5,000 by Geraldine Moss from Bertha Coney of Elmira, NY, and a $1,000 check from Dr. Shaw on behalf of the Missionary Society, with yearly donations in the amount of $4,000 to follow.
“I cannot tell you what this means to the board,” Bishop Battle said, “... Next year you will see the results of their contributions.”
Children from the Greater Work Fellowship of A.M.E. Zion Church in Hartford, Conn., paraded from the Tubman Home to Fort Hill Cemetery carrying a banner.
“This is Harriet's day,” Bishop George E. Battle Jr., presiding prelate of the Northeast Region of the A.M.E. Zion Church said in his dedication. “We are privileged and honored just to be alive for this historic day. Neighbor, if you're mad, get glad. We're going to have a good time.”
“To that child carrying a flag,” he said, “you will never know what that did to our hearts. This is about raising awareness of a lady that was a true, true warrior of equality for all people...”
After the placing of the wreath on the grave, Battle gave the benediction, in which he said, “... This will be the first National Park Services given to an African American lady in the U.S. of A.”
“I wish we could have her body exhumed and put on her own property,” Battle said, acknowledging that her spot in Fort Hill is quite beautiful.
Everyone then went to the Tubman home on South Street Road for an 11 a.m. ceremony.
The Zion Chorale performed a series of spiritual selections enthusiastically received by those assembled.
Marshall, spoke, referring to the two buildings on the site and the renovations done on the library and Harriet Tubman's home. The large assembly hall, a multipurpose building designed to hold 350 people, was too small to accommodate the more than 600 in attendance.
The Rev. Paul Carter, resident manager of the Harriet Tubman home, said, “... When we look and see what she stands for, her mission is still ongoing.”
“We want our children to come in and understand what Harriet Tubman means, not only to A.M.E. Zion Church but to the entire world.” he said. “She is the representative of all the poor, downtrodden people of the world.”
Auburn mayor Michael Quill presented a proclamation declaring May 24 Harriet Tubman Day. Quill said his grandparents had owned the property across the street from the Tubman site, Quill's hill.
Keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Shaw, 16th International President of the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society of the A.M.E. Zion Church, who presides over more than 800,000 women on five continents urged the crowd to get involved in the pilgrimage for justice.
Donations for the Harriet Tubman Foundation followed. Checks for $1,000 from Harriet Tubman's 300s, $5,000 by Geraldine Moss from Bertha Coney of Elmira, NY, and a $1,000 check from Dr. Shaw on behalf of the Missionary Society, with yearly donations in the amount of $4,000 to follow.
“I cannot tell you what this means to the board,” Bishop Battle said, “... Next year you will see the results of their contributions.”
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.