On the recordFebruary 26, 2015
From time to time in our history, people have stepped forward to call this Nation to something greater. Today as we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I want to recognize three inspirational women from my district in Pennsylvania: Dorothy James, Ruby Golding, and Mary Wilson. In the 1960s they traveled down South to fight racial injustice and to join the struggle for equal rights. Ruby Golding recalls what inspired her to join the Freedom Riders. She remembers segregated movie theaters and not being allowed to try on shoes at the local store in town. She remembers the March on Washington and hearing Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King talk about a dream he had, a dream that one day his children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Ms. Golding said everyone was shocked by the size of the crowd that day and how peaceful it was. She said it was like being in one big family of all colors joining together to bring a better day to America. Today let's recognize the legacy of Ms. James, Ms. Golding, and Ms. Wilson, and all those who joined the civil rights movement, for we have a freer nation because they had the courage to take a stand. ____________________
