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Event honors legacy of Ida B. Wells By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer  | Photo by Sue Watson
Made with love
Presenting
a gift of a quilt to the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum is Patricia
O’dell, far right. Also shown are (from left) Alfreda Duster Ferrell
(seated), Bernice Johnson, Nichole Taylor and Janean Ferrell. |
The
annual celebration of the life of Ida B. Wells-Barnett was held last
weekend with opening ceremonies at the Multi-Purpose Building in Holly
Springs. Descendants of the famed human rights activist arrived to
participate in the annual event which supports the museum named in her
honor. Ida B. Wells fought for rights for life
and happiness and for rights of color and is one of Holly Springs’ most
significant daughters, said Mayor Andre’ DeBerry in welcoming guests. He encouraged guests to “enjoy the day and try to soak up the spirit of a lady and what it was like in her time.” Wells
has about 50 living direct descendants, among them writers, lawyers,
computer experts, engineers, teachers and marketing experts, said her
granddaughter Alfreda Duster Ferrell, who was joined by her daughter
Janean Ferrell for this year’s celebration. Twenty rooms were available
for out-of-town descendants at a local hotel, she said. Wells was a mother of four, two boys and two girls. Alfreda Duster Ferrell said many of Wells’ descendants help maintain the museum that honors her grandmother. That
includes support of the Ida B. Wells Memorial Foundation, the
presentation of the Ida B. Wells award, scholarships, and support of
the museum, including a return home each year. Ruth
O’dell, daughter of the late Memphis judge Patricia O’dell, presented a
quilt to the museum she made to honor Wells’ memory. Her daughter
Nichole Taylor, cousin Bernice Johnson, and others joined to present
the quilt to the museum. A quilt exhibit was
set up by the quilt club of the Holly Springs Federated Improvement
Club. Other individuals displayed their art, including Gloria Gipson
Suggs of Holly Springs. |
