Charleston hosted a couple of “legacy” events Saturday.
First was the 10th annual Birdia Keglar Legacy Celebration, which honors the memory and the lasting contributions of late civil rights icon Birdia Beatrice Gray Clark Keglar of Charleston.
The weather cooperated nicely for the planned opening ceremonies, held on the west side of the Tallahatchie County Courthouse.
Gwen Dailey, cousin of Mrs. Keglar and co-founder of these annual events, reminded the crowd that the first Legacy Celebration occurred at the same venue one decade earlier and organizers thought it only appropriate to return to the Square this year.
A bevy of speakers talked about Mrs. Keglar’s work.
In expounding on her voter education and registration efforts for local black residents in the 1950s and 1960s, Gyrone Kenniel, chairman of the Tallahatchie County Democratic Executive Committee, said that Mrs. Keglar gave so much to help her people have the right to vote.
“She gave her life,” he said.
Kenniel admonished those present to exercise their right at the ballot box in this year’s party primaries. Otherwise, he suggested, Mrs. Keglar’s efforts — and the fruits of her labors — are not being fully or rightfully appreciated.
“Please, on Aug. 4, go out and vote,” Kenniel said. “For if not, what did [Mrs. Keglar] mean to you?”
Lucy Boyd, a friend and supporter of Mrs. Keglar and a former longtime president of the Tallahatchie County NAACP, was called upon to make some comments.
“Mrs. Keglar went to extreme limits to see what she could do to make change,” said Boyd, suggesting that Mrs. Keglar’s mission was ordained.
“God has a place and a time for everybody,” Boyd noted. “We all have a place and a time that God has called us to.”
Timla Washington, representing 2nd District U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson, presented a letter to Dailey and the Keglar family “expressing his appreciation for not only what Mrs. Keglar did, but because her family and Tallahatchie County ... don’t let her legacy, her selflessness and her kindness be in vain.”
The Keglar festivities continued for hours more during a program held at the Old Gym on Chestnut Street.
Saturday night, friends and family members of Glenna Callender, recently retired longtime executive director of the Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort, celebrated her legacy at the Charleston Arts Center.
Numerous speakers talked about Callender’s many untiring contributions to CARE and to the community which that organization has served for more than a decade.
Among those extolling her virtues were Charleston natives and longtime friends Jess Dickinson of Gulfport and Ed Meek of Oxford, as well as Winston Wolfe of Memphis, who announced a personal donation of $5,000 to CARE in honor of Callender.
CARE President Jimmie Stennett read proclamations from the Mississippi House of Representatives (signed by Speaker Philip Gunn, District 33 Rep. Tommy Reynolds and District 34 Rep. Linda Whittington) and Tallahatchie County Board of Supervisors, both paying tribute to Callender and the gains in “race relations, social engagement and activities for people of all ages and socioeconomic status” that have been realized in Charleston while Callender was directing CARE.
Callender’s admonition to the crowd was for everyone to continue working toward making Charleston the best small city in Mississippi.
“We can do it!” she said.
