Spring Valley NAACP to honor civil rights activists
By SUZAN CLARKE
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: November 1, 2006)
An educator, a restaurant manager and a high school coach are among five local leaders to be honored Friday for their outstanding commitment to civil rights during the Spring Valley NAACP's annual membership gala.
The Spring Valley chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been honoring what it calls "unsung heroes" for about 14 years, Willie Trotman, the chapter's president, said yesterday.
Recipients of this year's Unsung Heroes Lifetime awards are Edmund Gordon, a psychology and education academic and researcher; Wylene Branton Wood, president of the African American Historical Society and African Diaspora Heritage Center; Willie Worsley, who helped make history in 1966 as one of five black players who started on Texas Western College's championship-winning basketball team; Merle George, the branch's vice-president and a retired nurse who worked with the New York City Department of health, and David Smith, a retired Vietnam war combat veteran.
Cassandra Edwards, a Spring Valley community activist and youth advocate, will receive the Unsung Heroes Humanitarian Award.
The branch continues to honor such "trailblazers" because it's important that the wider community know and acknowledge their contributions, Trotman said.
"And it also allows us to know that we are not the first, that somebody went through some pressure, shed some tears, had the heartaches and heartbreaks so that we can do what we do today, and we need to know about those individuals," he said.
For example, Trotman said it was not common knowledge that Gordon wrote briefs for Thurgood Marshall or went on freedom rides in the South.
Willie Worsley, who coaches the boys' basketball team at Spring Valley High School, said he was honored by the accolade.
Cassandra Edwards did not feel as though she merited her award, especially when she compared her efforts to those of others who have gone before.
"So, realizing that I'm on the backs and shoulders of my elders, I'm definitely humbled," she said.
The honorees:
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Edmund Gordon, an academic and researcher in the fields of psychology and education, a professor emeritus at Teachers College of Columbia University and at Yale University, and a senior scholar in residence for the College Board. Gordon co-founded the CEJJES Institute.
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Wylene Branton Wood, a lifelong educator and promoter of social justice and equality. Her father, Wiley Austin Branton Sr., was a nationally recognized civil rights attorney and associate of Thurgood Marshall.
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Willie Worsley, member of the first team with an all-black starting line-up to win an NCAA basketball championship. The story is chronicled in the movie "Glory Road."
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Merle George, retired public health nurse, community servant and vice president of the Spring Valley NAACP.
- Cassandra Edwards, Spring Valley community activist, local cable program host, youth advocate.
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David Smith, a Vietnam combat veteran, retired corporate manager and active community member.
If you go
What: Spring Valley NAACP membership gala and Unsung Heroes awards ceremony.
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Where: Colonial Inn, 545 Tappan Road, Norwood, N.J.
Information: Tickets are $70 per person, and $35 for those under 18. For additional details, call 845-362-6227.
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KEZ Soror Cassandra Edwards Honored by local NAACP Chapter
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