Linda Gathright, a long-time community activist from Nashua, received the annual Martin Luther King Award at the annual Martin Luther King Day Community Celebration in Manchester. Linda is among the founders of Outreach for Black Unity, and currently serves as its Chairperson, and has also served on the Board of the NH Minority Health Coalition and the NH Commission on the Status of Women. Her award was presented by Dr. Marie Metoyer on behalf of the Martin Luther King Coalition, which sponsors the annual event.
Guest speaker Valerie Cunningham, who has devoted decades to research into New Hampshire’s Black history, recalled the young Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to People’s Baptist Church in Portsmouth in 1952, when he was studying at Boston University.
The Celebration, held at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral’s Hellenic Community Center, was deftly emceed by Russell and Jackie Weatherspoon, and also featured a performance by the West High School Jazz Band.
The thoughts of everyone involved in the Celebration were on Vanessa Johnson, a dedicated worker for the Coalition, who is ill.
The Martin Luther King Coalition is made up of twenty organizations. This was its 29th annual Martin Luther King Day celebration.
Leave a comment