| 11/22/2005 |
Op-Ed: Rosa Parks’ legacy of leadership
By Rep. Joseph S. Almeida
As the nation mourns the death of civil rights activist Rosa Parks, I’d like to reflect on how her legacy has shaped life right here in Providence. Yes, we’re 1,200 miles away from the street in Montgomery, Ala., where she made her famous stand by staying in her bus seat, but we are a changed society because of Rosa Parks.
This small, quiet woman from Alabama showed Americans that any person, no matter what their race, age, background or wealth might be, can change the world if he or she is brave and has strong, noble convictions. By sticking to her beliefs, she breathed life into the civil rights movement, setting our country on its way toward keeping its promise to guarantee liberty and justice for all.
I was born in 1957, two years after Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus. While the civil rights movement still had a long way to go, because of her, I – and other members of racial minorities my age across the country – grew up with an example of how one person can make a difference.
She was a perfect role model for future minority leaders; she was brave, dignified, and absolutely resolute. Her quiet character gave us an example of how a true leader of conviction should be and act.
In Rhode Island, this quiet but strong civil rights worker opened the door for many minority leaders in both the judicial and political arenas. We have Rosa Parks to thank for:
Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9) of Providence, the first black/Latina woman in elected office in Rhode Island. Since her election in 1992, she has worked hard for the advancement of families’ rights, mothers’ rights, issues important to women and all people of color. She has opened the door at the state level for more black and Latina women, who have important perspectives and skills and deserve a more proportionate representation in local, state and federal government.
City Councilwoman Balbina Young, who in 1990 became the first black woman elected to municipal office in Rhode Island. She has been the council’s President Pro Tempore since 1999, and has made great contributions to improving the lives of minorities and all people, especially in the arena of affordable housing.
Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11) of Providence, who in her first term has been involved in every movement of concern in South Providence and Elmwood. She is the first Dominican woman in America to be elected to a state-level office. As an immigrant who came to America in 1990 unable to speak English and with hardly more than the clothes on her back, Diaz is an inspiration.
Sen. Harold Metts (D-Dist. 6), who served in the House of Representatives from 1984 to 1998, and was the first black Rhode Islander to serve in both chambers. He is a great leader in the community and in education as well as religion.
Former representative Maria Lopes, the first woman of color to represent East Providence, known for her fire and political savvy.
Former representative Maxine Shavers, the first woman of color to represent Newport.
Former representative Leon Tejada, a native of the Dominican Republic and Rhode Island’s first Latino legislator.
Former senator Charles Walton, a community organizer, the first black state senator in Rhode Island, who made education and justice reform his most important issues.
Councilman Ronald Allen, the first black majority leader in the City Council, who serves as a role model for any that come after him.
Councilman Luis Aponte, the first Latino on Providence’s City Council and its first Latino majority leader.
Councilman Miguel Luna, the first Dominican to serve on the City Council.
This, of course, is not an exhaustive list of every person of color who has made an impact as a leader in Rhode Island; it is just some of the trailblazers who have worked hard to make inroads into the political establishment.
There are many firsts among minority leaders in Rhode Island, but many more are needed. With the social, economic and political changes in Rhode Island, we must continue making progress. It’s worth noting that Rhode Island actually had two black legislators elected in the 19th century – Rep. Mahlon Van Horne and Rep. Rep. Joseph Holland Banks in 1887 – but with no one picking up the torch from them, the path they forged remained unused for a long time, leaving the minority leaders nearly a century later to start just about from scratch.
I’d like to urge members of every minority group to build on what Rosa Parks gave us. Let her memory inspire you to take a leadership role in the community. There’s still a long way to go in giving minority groups proportionate representation in government, but not for a lack of good, qualified, talented and hard-working people. Rhode Island needs your participation now, and future generations need you to set the example they will follow.
Rep. Joseph S. Almeida is a Democrat who has represented District 12 in Providence’s South Side and Washington Park neighborhoods since 1999.He serves as a deputy majority leader, vice chairman of the House Labor Committee, secretary of the Separation of Powers Committee, and on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and is chairman of the Minority Legislators Leadership Caucus.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Waterman, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457 |
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