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Why We Love Ruby Dee and Will Miss Her — Groundbreaking Actress and Civil Rights Activist Dies At Age 91 New Rochelle, NY — Ruby Dee, a well-respected actress and civil rights activist, has died at the age of 91. Her career spanned stage, radio, television and film, and she was also known for her active role in helping promote the cause of blacks in the entertainment industry. Her surviving daughter commented, “We have had her for so long and we loved her so much. She took her final bow last night at home surrounded by her children and grandchildren.” Born in Cleveland, Ohio, but raised in Harlem, New York, Dee, who was married for 56 years to actor Ossie Davis, starred in several projects alongside her husband. The two
were even arrested in 1999 for protesting the shooting death of Amadou Diallo, an unarmed African immigrant in New York City. They were also known to be close friends with baseball star Jackie Robinson and his wife, Rachel. Her husband died back in 2005. Dee was best known for her 1961 role in “A Raisin in the Sun” with Sidney Poitier, but she also starred as a leading cast member in the soap operas in the 1950s and ’60s. She also played Mother Sister in Spike Lee’s 1989 film, “Do the Right Thing,” alongside her husband, and in 1990, she won an Emmy as supporting actress in the
Actress Ruby Dee with husband actor Ossie Davis on this February 1961 cover of Ebony Magazine
“Decoration Day” mini-series. Her last role was in the 2007 film “American Gangster,” in which she played the mother of Frank
Lucas (Denzel Washington’s character) and was nominated for the best supporting actress award. Dee will be missed by her many friends, family and fans from all over the world. Filmmaker Spike Lee, who cast both Dee and her husband Davis in several of his movies, said on Instagram: “I’m crushed by this bad news and I know Ruby has already been embraced in a warm loving hug from her life partner of 57 years — Mr. Ossie Davis.” Al Roker posted on Twitter: “Another legend has left us. God Bless. Ruby Dee died peacefully at home of age related causes. She was 91 years old.”
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July 2014 Volume 24/ Number 7 • A Monthly Publication by Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc •
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Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community
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Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community
Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Board will hold a fund raiser July 7 at Pizza Inn
Cheryl Brown Henderson and Linda Brown Thompson will be Guest Speakers in Springfield July 31 at the Library Center
See story on page 4
Park Day 2014 sets the stage to keep some traditions while adding new and exciting activities
Cheryl Brown Henderson
See story on page 4
1963 Civil Rights March on Washington
by Kathleen O’Dell, Springfield-Greene County Library District Cheryl Brown Henderson has worked tirelessly with others to preserve the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education
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July 21-25, 2014 Missouri State University
Dr. George Washington Carver
Carver National Monument announces the Park’s 71st Carver Day Celebration to be held on Saturday, July 12 See story on page 11
– the landmark 1954 Supreme Court case declaring that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. The challenge was personal -- Oliver L. Brown, namesake of the case, was her father, and one of the many who joined a
Linda Brown Thompson
challenge that changed America. So it’s fitting that Cheryl and her sister Linda Brown Thompson will be the guest speakers July 31 in Springfield during a national traveling exhibit July12Aug. 22 at the Library Center, “Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963.” The events are sponsored by the Springfield-Greene County Library District and the Greater Springfield Race & Faith Collaborative. continued on page 2
Koch Brothers Donate $25 Million to UNCF (TriceEdneyWire.com) - The conservative Koch Brothers announced that they have donated $25 million to the United Negro College Fund, whose members include 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The donation from the Koch Industries Inc. and the Charles Koch Foundation will provide nearly 3,000 merit-based awards
to African-American undergradits administration. Funds will uate, graduate be provided and post-doctorfor exemplary ate students. students with Key elements demonstrated of the donation financial need include: and an interest • $18.5 milin the study of lion is directed entrepreneurCharles and David Koch to the UNCF/ ship, economics continued on page 6 Koch Scholars Program and