McGruder remembered at community resource center named in her honor Sorority sisters prepare special glass case in her honor
Nearly 100 people gathered at the C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center, located at 2013 25th Avenue North for a ceremony remembering Curlie E. Hayslip-McGruder.
Gathered for the occasion were family, friends, church members, sorority sisters, and members of the NAACP.
One of the highlights of the evening was the actual viewing of the the glass case donated by the Metro Nashville Public School System. Mrs. McGruderıs sorority sisters, Pi Zeta Alumnae Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., prepared the case.
The photos in the case are reflective of Mrs. McGruder life, especially as it relates to the community. Ms. Dorothy Lake, the president of McGruderıs sorority said that they ³wanted to reflect the true spirit of Sisterhood and community involvement.
The program was opened with the invocation by Rev. John Beach, followed by a selection by Paulette Cartwright, who was the soloist in a rendition of the Lordıs Prayer (Just Say Amenı). Carol Wilson welcomed the guests; followed by thoughts on the purpose of the gathering by Andrei Ellen Lee.
³I remember Ms. McGruder,² Lee said. ³She believed that the most important things were to cast a vote and obtain a quality education. Our purpose here today is to bring together some of her accomplishments.
³Thank you Curlie for your good fight. We will carry on from here.
The Village Cultural Arts Center Village Drum and Dance Ensemble presented a Remembrance in Dance.
The theme for the evening was The Mission, the Vision, and the Struggle.ı Several persons spoke on these areas.
Dr. Charles Kimbrough, representing the NAACP, said that the NAACP is a long distance runner:
And she [McGruder], too, is a long distance runner. She did not tire easily. She kept the mission alive by acting on issues, that are the mandate of the NAACP, such as voter registration and police brutality, said Kimbrough.³We need to keep the dream of Curlie McGruder alive.
Rev. Howard Jones, Jr., pastor of Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church, said Mrs. McGruder seemed to understand that the struggle is with people coming together -- and believing that that: Youıre going to win. Mrs. McGruder knew that sometimes you would have to walk by yourself. The prophets also said all things are possible with Christ, he paused. I know weıre going to win because of the McGruders I've met!
The programıs Mistress of Ceremonies was Pastor Venita Lewis and Mike Green, who also co-hosted the event with Rosa Shields.
Tracye Russell is director of the C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center. Russell invited people to come back and become more familiar with the services offered, which include: the Centerstone Neighborhood Centers Program; Dominion Financial Management; the Family to Family Program; Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Outreach; Metro Social Services; the Mobile Pediatric Assessment Clinic (MPAC); More Computing; Project for Neighborhood Aftercare; SILVER Program; the TSU Nutrition Education Program; the YMCA-Lil Sisters/Buffalo Soldiers, and the YMCA Domestic Violence Center.
Ms. Russell said she is pleased to be a part of the North Nashville community. It is my goal to continue developing partnerships with agencies, churches, and other organizations that will enhance the lives of families in this community, Russell said. I am delighted to be involved at a center named after such a remarkable icon.
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Family Resource Center Named After Soror!
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