January 31, 2003

It has become a much-anticipated event for MGH and Partners employees — the annual Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration, featuring a prominent guest speaker to share insights concerning the legacy of the slain civil rights pioneer. This year's presentation, held Jan. 24 in the O'Keeffe Auditorium, continued the tradition. U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia), delivered a rousing speech, describing his upbringing in rural Alabama, detailing his experiences as a civil rights activist alongside King and gratefully recounting the care he received at the MGH many years ago.

Lewis, (shown above, with former MGH nurse Pat Beckles, RN) who was born the son of sharecroppers in Troy, Ala., developed a strong commitment to the civil rights movement at a young age. He was only 18 when he first met King, who became his friend and mentor. Because of Lewis' commitment to the cause, he became a prominent leader and activist, recognized as one of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement.

One of the most memorable demonstrations that Lewis recounted for the MGH audience was in 1965, when Lewis led 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. The marchers were brutally attacked by state troopers in the historic civil rights confrontation that became known as "Bloody Sunday." Because of the injuries he sustained there, Lewis eventually was brought to the MGH for tests and treatment.

Lewis was elected to Congress in 1986 and is currently serving his ninth term in office. He holds many leadership positions, has written his autobiography and continues to speak out against racial discrimination.

"I don't know where our country would be today without Martin Luther King — he not only liberated his people, but he liberated a nation," said Lewis. "If he were here today, he would tell us to use our resources to heal, not kill; to build, not tear down; to come together, not to separate. We must walk with the wind and let the spirit of Martin Luther King be our guide."

Thomas P. Glynn, chief operating officer for Partners, introduced Lewis, and Jeff Davis, senior vice president for MGH Human Resources, served as master of ceremonies.

Also at the event Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, spoke about the hospital's progress in diversity efforts for employees and patients. Oswald Mondejar from MGH Human Resources introduced the MGH Black Achievers for 2003 — Jennifer Jackson and Felicity Goodridge. Deborah Washington, RN, MSN, director of Diversity for Patient Care Services, introduced four young poetry readers from the Paul Robeson Institute for Positive Self-Development, (shown at left with Mondejar) with who read a poem called "Ultimate Peoplehood." She also introduced Yegue Badigue, a young pianist from Chad, Africa, and a student at the Perkins School for the Blind. He played two pieces for the audience.