Generosity and perseverance
The heat has been most talked about last week but last Friday was a steamier. It was one of the hottest days since I moved to Marshall County- a simmering 96 degrees. A great celebration was held Friday and I was glad to be there for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Isaac Chapel Rosenwald Historical Museum and Education Center in Byhalia.
The heat did not discourage the community members, former students and dignitaries that came out to mark this wonderful event. The parking lot was overflowing.
A group of community leaders saw that this historic structure needed to be renovated to continue to serve the community. They dedicated their time and resources to make happen.
The Isaac Chapel Rosenwald Historical Museum and Education Center is one of only around 20 left in the state of Mississippi. It was built in 1921-1922 with donations from American philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and the community. The Rosenwald Fund donated millions in matching funds to support the education of African American children in the rural South. In 1921 the Marshall County community came together and raised enough donations to meet matching funds.
Friday showed what can happen if a community works together. People saw the importance of this project and worked hard to finish it. Thanks to the board members, Sidney Payne Jr. chairperson; Gwendolyn Nichols, vice-chairperson; Dorothy Jones Stigall, Terry King Moore, Carl DeBerry, Robbie Zinn, Beverly Jones- Cobb, Roberta Barnes, Delia Reid, Dwight Wheeler and John Perry for volunteering your time for such a great cause. Also, thanks to George Zinn III, District 4 supervisor; Charles Terry, District 1 supervisor; State Representative John Faulkner, State Representative Bill Kincade, Senator Neil Whaley, and Jennifer Baughn, Mississippi Department of Archives and History; and the many other community members and businesses.
“Generosity and perseverance,” Baughn said. “Forty people showed up the first time I came to the school,” she said. Baughn told how they all worked hard for the re-opening of the building. “I’m glad to see education brought back to life in this historic building.”
Other dignitaries and county and city officials spoke of the “Generosity and perseverance,” how this was a “a long time comin’.”
It filled my heart to see the community come together to re-open this historic school that will be used again for the children and families in the community. The special gathering reminded me of a bible verse in I Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
It excites me to see the community working together and helping one another to reach our goals.
“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.”
Proverbs 9:9 NIV.