[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTES FREEDOM SISTER'S TRAVELING 
                               EXHIBITION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, ahead of tomorrow's announcement, today I 
rise to recognize the empowering Freedom Sister's Exhibition being 
showcased in The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and 
Educational Center in my Congressional District. The Exhibition will be 
officially on display starting February 4 thru April 22, 2012.
  Often when the civil rights movement is discussed, male figureheads 
whose visibility in boycotts, legal proceedings, and mass 
demonstrations dominated media coverage in the 1950's and '60s are the 
first memories we recollect. Sometimes missing and often forgotten from 
these memoirs are a group of extraordinary women who, while less 
prominent in the media, shaped much of the core and spirit of civil 
rights movement.
  The Freedom Sister's Exhibition shines a light on the many women that 
at times history seems to overlook. As the Member of Congress whose 
district encompasses the historical community of Harlem and in response 
to an overwhelming sentiment from both my local Education and Arts & 
Culture constituencies, it was enormously important to me that the 
Smithsonian bring the traveling exhibition to my beloved community. 
Nine out of the twenty women being paid tribute to, have walked the 
streets of the great village of Harlem. Constance Baker Motley, Harriet 
Tubman, Ella Baker, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Sonia 
Sanchez, Mary McLeod Bethune, Shirley Chisholm, and Ida B. Wells all 
dared to dream the impossible: equality for all.
  The exhibition also pays tribute to the success of such notable women 
as Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Barbara Johnson, Fannie Lou Hamer, 
Myrlie Evers-Williams, Kathleen Cleaver, Mary Church Terrell, Septima 
Poinsette Clark, Dorothy Height, and C. Delores Tucker. I cannot stress 
the importance of such a marvelous showcase of these important women. 
The Civil rights movement was spearheaded by many exceptional men such 
as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, but these women among many 
others also fought for equality with a commitment to strengthen our 
Nation and making a difference for all Americans.
  Let me thank Jacob Morris, Executive Director of the Harlem 
Historical Society for bringing this great exhibition to my attention 
through my District Representative, Socrates Solano. According to the 
information imparted to my office by the Harlem Historical Society, it 
was my understanding that New York was not initially considered as a 
venue for this wonderful traveling exhibit's National tour. Let me also 
thank Zead Ramadan, Chair of the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz 
Memorial and Educational Center for agreeing to host this truly 
historic exhibition.
  Mr. Speaker, like Harlem, there are those in our country that 
ardently desire that its sons and daughters as well as our teachers and 
educators are given the opportunity to appreciate and learn more about 
these great women of courage who have had such profound historical 
significance. I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues, with the 
gratitude of our fellow citizens, join me in commending the Smithsonian 
Institute for paying tribute to our beloved Freedom Sisters through 
their traveling exhibition.

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