Day -518- Daily Haibun Journey — Constance Baker Motley

During the civil rights movement Constance Motley helped desegregate Southern schools, buses and lunch counters. She was a key strategist within the movement. She even argued successfully nine of ten cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. The first African American woman elected to the New York State Senate was Constance Baker Motley. The year was 1964. Then in 1965 Motley was again the first African American to serve an important role in government. She was chosen Manhattan Borough, in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson named her a Federal Court judge which was another first for African American women.

strong roots
spread out, anchoring
a movement

There is no doubt that the rewards of the efforts of these nurses, educators, and activists continue to be felt today. It is important that we recognize and remember what they were able to achieve in the face of incredible challenges. We need to educate ourselves about their contributions to our communities and be inspired by their example.

You would think in 2021 we would have truly become a democratic nation where all men are created equal. Unfortunately, even in since the last presidential election hundreds of legislative actions are being voted upon that strip people of their rights, make it harder to vote by removing polling places or closing them. They are requiring more than one id and charging for a voting license. This inspiration should spur us on to continue to fight for equality and stop voter suppression now and in the future.