The Roll Call

By Veronica A. Robertson Dancy

History books are for those that want to learn about the people that cared enough about America to write about the United States so others could read about one of the most interesting places on this earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543419719

Veronica A. Robertson Dancy

Veronica Dancy an African American woman many years ago became interested in the making of the history of America. Being inspired she began to write a book. This book is about those people and places she believed helped to empower the building of the United States of America. When Veronica was not gathering information, she was attending Baptist Conventions, where Veronica earned her Certificates in Christian Education. She is an excited teacher of God's Word and love helping to teach the Ladies class at First Baptist Church E. Church St. Martinsville Va. Whose Pastor is Charles R. Whitfield. She contributed to the loving, raising, and educating of her children, grand and great grand children. Veronica has been a part of Civil Rights and its Movements from an early age, she has been in marches, demonstrations and witness injustice. Veronica wrote the book "Roll Call" to take the time, call attendance and give many thanks to those dead or alive that made a difference in the building of these United States of America.

Book preview

A

Aaron, Henry

Born Henry Louis Aaron, nicknamed Hank, born in Mobile AL. February 5, 1934. Hank is American’s Champion Home Run Hitter. Aaron entered the record books on April 8, 1974, by breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 714. He went on to hit a total of 755 homers before completing Major League Career. Aaron began playing professionally for an all Black Team in Mobile AL. and Indianapolis, Indiana, but he signed with the National League’s Milwaukee Braves organization at age 18. He reached the Major Leagues when he was only 20 years of age and quickly established himself as one of the game’s finest players. He played for the Braves almost exclusively first in Milwaukee from 1954 to 1965, then in Atlanta from 1966 until 1974. Hank ended his career with the American League’s Milwaukee Brewers from 1975 to 1976. Along with a lifetime batting average of .305, Aaron had 2,297 runs batted in the first all time, 6,856 total bases which was a first, 12,364 at bats, 3771 hits, 3,298 games played and 624 doubles. Aaron was the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1957 and the right fielder won 3 Gold Glove awards each. He also won twice in the best batting in 1956:328 and in 1959:355. He died January 22, 2021 at age 86.

Abernathy, Ralph

Born 1926, Abernathy was a United States Clergyman and Civil Rights Leader born in Linden AL. He attended Alabama State University in 1950. This Baptist Clergyman was a close associate of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. The two are seen in many portraits walking side by side in Civil Rights Marches during the 1960’s. Most popular was the Bus Boycott in Montgomery AL. from 1956 until settled in 1957. At this time Blacks were not allowed to sit in any vacant seat on the bus, for nine weeks during the Bus boycott in Alabama. He was one of the Founders and President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1975 until his death in 1990.

Abolitionists

In United States history, the abolitionists were those who sought to end the institution of Black slavery and certain that Slavery violated the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, the following men: Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Paine, and Benjamin Rush joined their antislavery efforts with those of the Quakers, Society of Friend’s and other religiously inspired Northerners. Because, of abolitionists pressure. Measures were also taken on the national level to end U.S. participation in the African slave trade in 1808 and to prohibit Slavery’s expansion in certain Western Territories. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 also involved some abolitionist in colonization societies, most notable the American Colonization Society Groups of New Englanders who had begun branding slavery as a horrible sin and demanding immediate, complete, and uncompensated emancipation everywhere in the nation. Its leadership included famous Black and White women as well as White males and was published by Editors such as the fiery William Lloyd Garrison, orators Frederick Douglass, Angelina Grimke, Wendell Phillips, and Theodore Weld, and many other Philanthropists, Black Agitators and Feminists. These people believed that through such agitation it was possible to convince slave owners to show repentance by releasing their slaves. Abolitionists also called on each White citizen to put aside their prejudice against Blacks and to come together and fight against slavery. In December 1833, the abolitionist formed the American-Anti Slavery Society in hopes of a national campaign, and by 1835 they had established networks of state and local societies. Petitions were also sent to the state legislatures and the U.S. Congress, demanding action against slavery. Congress attempt by placing Gag Rules only angered a stronger movement. By the early 1840’s, widespread violence opposed the abolitionist effects that had caused many members of the movement against slavery to disagree with the plan that was being used. Abolitionists had also divided over rising issues like women’s right, Black separatism and opposition to organized religion. In 1840 the moderates formed the Liberty Party. This advocate of direct political action later supported the Free Soil Party and is what we today call the Republican Party. After the passage of the new Fugitive Slave Law in 1850 & 1852, the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 had a provision asking the settlers in these territories to decide whether there should be slavery or not. During the Civil War, as the organized movement dissolved, many individual abolitionists pushed Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 to protect the newly emancipated slaves. Others raised funds to support Black educational programs in the old slave states and served in the South as Teachers, Ministers, and Political Reformers. This ended with the passage in 1865 of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, the main reason for the fight.

Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action is a formal effort to provide increased employment opportunities for women and ethnic minorities, to overcome past patterns of discrimination. Under the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, most federal contractors and subcontractors, all state governments and institutions (including Universities), and most local governments must initiate plans to increase the proportions of their female and minority employees until they are equal to the proportion existing in the available labor market. The measures employers and institutions should take to demonstrate their compliance with the law have been the subject of controversy. Affirmative Action plans which were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court later upheld in the case of United States v Steele Workers of America v. Weber in 1979. In 1984 and 1986 Justices ruled that minority contractors must abide by the laws that the government had set forth. However there were several cases with rulings that limited the use of racial discrimination. The N.A.A.C.P had a Task Force that was designed to have a minority person (myself) go into the facility and ask for the list of employers and their race. Most of the time Affirmative Action law was being kept, however when one was found not to be following the Guidelines of the Employment Act of 1972, action was taken. In 1989, because of the outpouring of criticism given, a Bipartisan coalition in the United States Congress then put into place what is known as the Civil Rights Act of 1991. In 1995 the Supreme Court reversed the 1980 decision that granted Congress a broad discretion in making of the federal laws in Public Works and ruled that they were made for the minority contractors and they must adhere to the laws that the government had set forth.

Ailey, Alvin

Alvin Ailey was born in Rogers TX. on January 5, 1931. Alvin was America’s foremost Black Choreographer and is generally considered the first Modern Dancer to have choreographed for a Ballet Company. This Ballet Company was called the Feast of Ashes for the Jaffrey Ballet in 1962. His Troupe, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, was formed in 1958. Ailey’s highly theatrical and energetic dances were often drawn from the Black Heritage and experience. They effectively blended styles derived from African ethnic, American Black Vernacular, and Modern Dance Idioms. Ailey begins dancing with the Horton Dance Theatre in Los Angeles in 1950 and became its Director in 1953. Ailey also was a dancer on Broadway and in many Films. He not only did choreograph for his ballet company he served as choreographer for several other important ballet companies. Also, the American Dance Theatre often mounted dances created by the Troupe’s members and other Choreographers. In 1987, Ailey arranged for the reconstruction and performance of 14 the works of Anthropologist and Choreographer Katherine Durham. Following his death, Dancer-Choreographer Judith Jamison was named Director of the Dance Theater. His autobiography Revelations taped with Peter Barley before his death was published posthumously in 1995. Today, performances by Alvin Ailey are still being held in all major cities. Several are held at African American Colleges like UNC and A&T College both located in Greensboro North Carolina.

Alexander, Clifford

Born in 1933, in New York City was a well educated and became a U.S.Lawyer and Public Official and from 1977-1981 was U. S. Secretary to the Army.

Alexander, Sadie Tanner Mossel

Alexander, a Lawyer was born1898 in Philadelphia, PA. Alexander received a B.S. Degree (1918), an M.A. Degree (1919), a P.H.D. Degree (1921), and her LL.B. Degree (1927) from the University of Pennsylvania. She married Raymond Pace Alexander in 1923.She was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 1927. She was also the first woman to Practice Law in Pennsylvania. As a young lawyer in 1921 she authored a study entitled Standards of Living among 100 Negro Families in Philadelphia. From 1928 to 1930 she was Assistant City Solicitor in Philadelphia. She held that post from 1934 to 1938. In 1946 Alexander, was Appointed a Member of the President’s Committee on Civil Rights, and later she was named by President John F. Kennedy as a Member of the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights. Her affiliation with the American Civil Liberties Union was long lived, ranging from Membership on the National Advisory Council to Membership on the Board of Directors of the greater Philadelphia Branch.

Alexander, Walter Gilbert

Alexander was born in Lynchburg VA. in 1880, deceased 1953. Walter Gilbert Alexander was a Physician. He received a B.A. Degree from Lincoln University in PA.in 1899, and his M.D. Degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Boston MA. In 1903, Alexander practiced medicine in West Virginia from 1903-1904 and in Orange, New Jersey after 1904. Here he became an Appointee to the New Jersey State Board of Health. He served as Vice-President and President in 1926 of the National Medical Association.

Ali, Muhammad

Pugilist Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born on January 17, 1942. As an Amateur Fighter, Ali was the Winner of the Golden Gloves and Amateur Athletic Union Titles and the Olympic Games Light Heavyweight Championship in 1960. That year he became a Professional Fighter. Ali won the Professional Heavyweight Championship from a heavily favored Charles Sonny Liston, whom he knocked out in the seventh round. Ali went on the next year to be undefeated. Ali adopted the Black Muslim faith in 1957 and took on the name of Muhammad Ali in 1964. He was barred from the ring for four years and stripped of his Heavyweight Title because of conscientious, objection on religious grounds. Ali refused to serve in the United States Armed Forces. A court order was issued in 1970 that overturned his suspension from Boxing. In that same year he launched a remarkable comeback. Though he lost to Joe Frazier in a Title Match in 1971, Ali regained the Championship in 1974 at the age of 32, when he knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round. In 1978, Ali, lost his Title to Leon Spinks but regained it before his retirement in 1979. He is known as one of the most idolized Fighters of all time, especially in Black History and Black Communities. Ali was known for his witty Poetry and Rhymes and his outspoken opposition to racism. Before his death, Ali did public speaking and helped with research toward finding a cure for Parkinson Disease. He died June 3, 2016.

Ali, Noble Drew

Also known as Timothy Drew was born in Simpson Buck County, N.C.in 1886. He was a Religious leader and Cultist. With formal religious training, Ali established his First Temple in Newark, New Jersey in 1913 and later founded other Temples in Pittsburgh, PA.., Detroit, Michigan a College in Washington, D.C. in 1944 and Chicago, IL. The Chicago Temple, known as the Moorish Science Temple of America was most famous. Ali taught initiates the necessity of Nationality. Upon becoming a full Member, the Initiate was given an identification card showing symbols for Allah, Islam, and Unity, with the following inscription This is your Nationality and Identification Card for the Moorish Science Temple of America and the Birthrights for the Moorish Americans, etc. We honor all divine Prophets such as: Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha and Confucius. May the Blessings of God of our Father Allah, be upon you that carry this card. I do hereby declare that you are a Muslim under the Divine Laws of the Holy Koran of Mecca, Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice. I AM A CITIZEN OF THE U.S.A." NOBLE DREW ALI THE PROPHET, 3603 INDIANA AVE. CHICAGO, IL. Circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, but speculations still hold that he was a victim of a power struggle. His Movement split after his death.

Allen, Aris T.

Born December 27, 1910 Physician, State Legislator who was born in San Antonio, TX. Allen received his M.D. Degree from Howard University Medical College in Washington D.C. in 1944. He went on to complete further studies at the University of Buffalo and at Harvard University. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 until 1955. Allen was a Member of the Maryland State Legislator until 1966. He served on the Board of Directors of the Bank and Trust Company of Annapolis, Md. He presided on numerous Civic and professional boards. In 1977 Aris Allen was elected to chair the Maryland Republican Committee. He ran for Governor the following year but was defeated. He died February 8, 1991 at age 80 in Annapolis, MD.

Allen, Debbie

Was born on January 16, 1950 in Houston, TX. She studied Speech and Drama at Howard University, Nominated for a Tony Award for performance in Sweet Charity in 1986. Some of her other Stage Credits include Ti-Jean and His Brothers in 1972, Raisin in 1973, Ain’t Misbehaving in 1978, West Side Story and won two Emmys for Choreography for Fame, which ran from 1982 to 1987. Debbie Allen also starred in a Television series, a Comedy Variety Series 3 Girls, Roots, the Next Generation. She was a Producer and Director of the series A Different World" that ran from 1988 until 1993.

Allen, Milton B.

Was born in Baltimore, MD., in 1917, Allen was a Lawyer, and Public Official. He received a B.A. Degree from Coppin State College in Baltimore MD. He earned his Law Degree and LLB in 1941. He received his J.P. Degree in 1971 from University of Maryland Law School; there he practiced Law in Baltimore for 25 years. In 1970 Allen was elected as State Attorney for Baltimore MD. At this State job he supervised a Staff of 90 Assistant State Attorney’s. He has served on the Governor’s Commission on Law Enforcement. Allen was appointed to the Baltimore Superior Court in 1976.

Allen, Richard

Born in Philadelphia, PA., February 14, 1760 died March 26, 1831.A Clergyman and Bishop, Allen was the founding Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the first Major Black Institution in America. Allen was the first Major Leader of Afro-American’s in the United States. Born of slave parentage, he grew up in slavery in Delaware and became a zealous Methodist Minister whose many converts included his Master, who let him buy his freedom. Allen settled in Philadelphia around 1786, where he brought so many Afro-Americans into St. George’s Methodist Church that friction soon developed in the church between Whites and Blacks. He proposed a separate Church for Blacks and by 1787 had formed the Free African Society, one of the official organizations of Afro-Americans. It was dedicated to self-improvement and advancement. In the same year, Whites segregated Blacks by assigning them to the Gallery at St. George’s Church. Allen and Absalom Jones led an exodus of Black Parishioners from that church. Jones and his Members of the Free African Society established St. Thomas’s Free African Church within the Protestant Episcopal Church. Allen in turn formed the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (Mother Bethel). Allen was ordained a Bishop in 1799. After winning a court case in 1816, he gained complete independence for his congregation and legally established the AME Church.

Allen, Samuel W.

Born December 9, 1917, Lawyer, Folklorist, Poet, born in Columbus, OH. After Samuel Washington studied at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. in 1938, the Sorbonne from1948 to 1949, he received his JD Degree from Harvard Law School in 1941. His first book, a collection of Poetry entitled Elfenbein Zahne in 1956, and Ivory Tusks1968.In his role as a Lawyer, he was Assistant General Counsel in the Legal Department of the United States Information Agency and worked with the Community Relations Service of the Justice Department. His literary career continues as an English Editor of the Magazine.

American Anti-Slavery Society

There was such a Society in America. The three Abolitionist Leaders responsible for establishing the American Anti-Slavery Society were Theodore Dwight Weld (1803-95), Arthur Tappan (1786-1865), and Lewis Tappan (1788-1783). These Militant in the fight against Slavery, were regarded in the South as fanatics and Members of the Society were not allowed to book meetings. In 1839, some less Militant Members broke away from the Society and formed the Liberty Party. The Society operated until 1870, when the adoption of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted Citizenship to Blacks.

American Medical Association

The American Medical Association (AMA) founded in 1847. It is the largest Medical Organization in the World. There is a Membership with over 300,000 Physicians. The AMA works to improve the Professionalism of Member Physicians by supervising standards at Medical Schools and other health education institutions and by sponsoring scientific meetings for continuing education. The organization promotes public health by developing and distributing information and by advocating health-related rights, responsibilities, and issues. The AMA is the largest publisher of medical information. The other is the New England Medical Journal. In addition to the publication of medical research and review articles in this widely read Weekly Journal of the American Medical Association and various specialized Journals. The AMA also publishes a variety of Consumer Publications. Policy for the AMA was set at the grass-roots level by Physicians representing their State and specialty Society, in the AMA House of Delegates. In the past the AMA was a strong opponent of Government Health Care Programs, but in recent years it has become a Major Advocate for Medicaid and Medicare reform. The AMA has also taken policy positions on other public-health issues, such as different types of CANCER, AIDS Testing, Tobacco Advertising and Promotion, Professional liability and Animal Research. In 1950 the AMA admitted the Black Convention Delegates. This group was composed of the best African American Doctors.

Amistad

In 1839, a group of Africans led by a young man named Clique, who launched the very first revolt. This revolt brought about legal freedom for the so-called rebels. These rebels seized the slave ship call the Amistad and sailed to Montauk Long Island, New York. The ship was taken over by the American Customs on August 26. 1839. Clique and his followers were in court, and defended by the former President John Quincy Adams. The Supreme Court handed down a decision that freed Clique and his followers on March 9. 1840. There were thirty-five surviving Africans which were returned to Africa on November 25.1841.

Amos ‘n’ Andy

Amos ‘n’ Andy were the American Radio Comedy Team of Freeman Fisher Gosden (Amos) born May 5, 1899 and died December 10, 1982. Charles Correll portrayed Andy. He was born February. 2, 1890 and died September 26, 1972. The show Amos ‘n’ Andy was first aired on March 19, 1928 and presented a cast of two young Black men, portrayed as White’s. The meaning of the story was to show these two men had traveled from the South to the North to make their fortune. They went into business as the Fresh-Air Taxicab Company of America. In 1943, Gosden and Corell wrote most of the scripts for the Play and played all 550 male parts. There were also Pictures and parts of the Scripts placed in the Newspaper Comic Strips. At its peak in the 1930’s the Show attracted an estimated 40 million Listeners among both Whites and Blacks. Over the years the Show attracted increasingly strong criticism from Civil Rights Organizations. Gosden and Corel retired in 1961 after about 10,350 Shows. A Television Series based on the Radio Show had begun in 1951. It featured an all-Black Cast, the stereotype characters and situations that had made the original series seemed even more offensive on the TV screen. And with the exception for reruns to be shown later the television show of Amos ‘n’ Andy ended in 1953.

Anderson, Charles

A Pilot and Trainer, Charles Anderson escorted First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt on a 30 minute Flight around Tuskegee Air Base in the late 1930s.

Anderson, Marian

Marian Anderson was born February 17, 1902 in Philadelphia, PA. She departed this earth April 8, 1993. Marian Anderson was the first Black Singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Marian Anderson, who was a Contralto, made her Debut in 1955 as Ularica in Giuseppe Verdi’s UN Ballo in Maschera. She was, however, primarily a Concert Artist and was particularly acclaimed for her singing spirituals in her younger years she sang in Church Choirs. Because of her race she had to overcome great difficulties to obtain the training necessary for a career. In 1935 she sang for Arturo Toscanini, who said she had a voice that comes once in a hundred years. In 1939 the Daughters of the American Revolution denied her access to Washington’s Constitution Hall for a Concert. Eleanor Roosevelt then arranged her Concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before an audience of 75,000 or more. She was named an Alternate United Nations Delegate in 1958. She sang at the Inaugural Ball for President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957, and the late John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1961. Marian Anderson made many recordings and was noted for her warm, deep timbre and for the style of her oratorio singing. She retired after a successful Concert Tour in 1965. In 1978 she was selected one of the five Recipients of the first most prestigious Honorees being placed at the Kennedy Center.

Angelou, Maya

Maya Angelou, born in St. Louis MO. April 4, 1928. She was not just a Black American Writer, but a Stage Performer, and Composer. She has a widely acclaimed autobiography. Her many writings such as I know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She told stories of her childhood in the once segregated state of Arkansas. There were other writings: Gather Together in my Name, Singing and Swinging & Getting Merry like Christmas, The Heart of a Woman and All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes. Maya, has written many plays and screenplay in her time. She has also composed songs and musical scores. In 1987, she wrote lyrics to Now Sheba Sings the Song, and I Shall Not Be Moved. This was a part of the ever ending unrest in the World. At President Bill Clinton’s Inauguration Ceremony on January 20, 1993, she read a Poem On the Pulse of Morning, especially written for this event. Maya Angelou died May 14, 2014.

Archambeau, Shelleye

Shellye Archambeau, Senior Vice President of E-Commerce for Blockbuster, one of the Nation’s Leading Home-Video rental providers Archambeau, is responsible for implementing strategies to build the Company’s on-line sales, business development and financial planning. She holds a dual Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Decision Science from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Archambeau lives in Dallas, TX, with her husband, Clarence Scott and their two children.

Arlen, Harold

Harold Arlen was born Hyman Arlen in Buffalo NY. on February 15, 1905. He died April 23, 1986. Harold Arlen was a Blues and popular Song Composer. His success began in 1933 with Stormy Weather. Harold was introduced one night at the famous Harlem’s Cotton Club located in Harlem New York by the late Ethel Waters. In 1939 his Over the Rainbow song from the Wizard of Oz won an Oscar and became Judy Garland’s Musical Trademark. Among his other Motion-Picture Songs were Blues in the Night. One for my Baby, That Old Black Magic and It’s Only a Paper Moon. His Broadway show which he wrote the Music which included Bloomer Girl and Jamaica.

Armstrong, Henry

Henry Armstrong, born Columbus, MS. December 12, 1912, died October 22, 1998. Henry Armstrong is the only Professional Boxer to have held three World Titles simultaneously. Originally named Henry Jackson, Hammerin’ Hank adopted a ring name, Honey Melody, and had a modest career up to 1937, when Singer AI Jolson bought his contract. In October 1937 he won the Featherweight Title, adding the Welterweight Title in May 1938 and the Lightweight Crown in August 1938. He continued to win 46 straight Matches into 1939 and fought until 1945, finishing his career with 152 Victories and 100 Knockouts in 181 Bouts.

Armstrong, Louis

Louis Satchmo Armstrong, was born in New Orleans, July 4, 1900, he died July 6, 1971. Louis Armstrong was a brilliant American Jazz Clarinet and Trumpet Soloist. Satchmo begin playing at the age of 13. He was a Member of the Band of the New Orleans Waifs’ Home, the famous Site of the New Orleans and Mississippi Riverboat Bands. He was first heard by a larger audience when he joined in a group called ‘King Oliver in Chicago in 1922. Louis Armstrong recorded with Oliver in 1923 in what was to be his first feature Black preference. In 1925, after playing as a Solo Artist with the New York Band of Fletcher Henderson, Armstrong returned to Chicago and formed his own group known as Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five later called the Hot Seven. This group made a series of recordings that are still prized songs heard today as Classical Chicago Dixieland. In 1932, Armstrong made the first of many successful European Tours. His popularity was heightened through appearances on Radio, in Films, and later, on Television. His style of ‘‘scat singing became well known as his Trumpet Tone. Today, Louis Asthma Armstrong is known as one of the most famous of all American Trumpet Player and Jazz Musician.

Arrington, Richard Jr.

Born in Sumter County, AL. in 1934, Arrington moved to Birmingham AL. with his family as a child during the Civil Rights Era. He attended graduate school in Oklahoma, but in 1970 he was drawn into City Politics. He began building a solid reputation by exposing Police Brutality. Arrington decided to run for Mayor after a White Birmingham policeman shot and killed a young Black woman. For many, this was a symbol of the South’s Political transformation when Arrington moved from Councilman in 1978 to Mayor. Once in office, his biggest long Term challenge was to guide the City’s Economic transformation away from making steel. By the mid 1980’s Arrington had brought a high rise tower to take the place of aging steel mills.

Ashe, Arthur

Arthur Robert Ashe was born July 10, 1943 in Richmond VA. He was the first Black Tennis player to win a major men’s Tennis Title by triumphing in the United States National Amateur singles competition in 1968. That year, he also won the United States Open and became the first to play on the United States Davis Cup Team. Ashe, turned Professional in 1969 winning the Australian Open in 1970, and in 1975 he won the Wimbledon Title as well as the World Championship of Professional Tennis in 1979. Ashe announced his retirement in April1980. However in September of the same year he was named the nonpaying Captain of the United States Davis Cup. The Team won the Cup in 1981 and again in 1982. He later wrote Hard Road to Glory in 3 volumes, telling his story of an African American Athlete. On April 8, 1992 he needed a blood transfusion during a Heart by Pass Surgery. He contracted the AIDS Virus and 10 months later he died. We truly watched you as you climbed the ladder of success and we say Thank You.

Ashford, Evelyn

Born in Shreveport LA., April 15, 1957, Evelyn accumulated several Olympic Medals’ from 1976-1992. She won Four Gold and two Silver Medals in the Olympic Competition. She finished Roseville High School in Calif. in 1975; Ashford competed for UCLA from 1976 to 1978. Running both the 200 mile and 400 mile Sprints often during her career; she chose to run the 100 mile run. At that distance she held the World Record for five years. She finished first at 10.79 seconds in 1983 and 1984, than at 10.76 seconds in 1984 through 1988. Intermittently plagued by a hamstring and other injuries, Evelyn, nevertheless managed to take part in 4 more Olympic running’s in 1976 she won the Silver Medal for the 4 x 100 Mile Relay.

Evelyn won a Gold Medal in 1984 for the