Civil Rights Pioneers honored during third annual Stamp Dedication

Halifax Community College (HCC) hosted a stamp dedication commemorating Civil Rights Pioneers as part of Black History Month festivities, Thursday, Feb. 5 in The Centre. This was the third annual stamp dedication presented by HCC and the United States Postal Service.

“It only seems fitting that we pay homage to 12 legendary Americans who worked valiantly most of their lives for the rights and freedoms of others. The Civil Rights Pioneers stamp is a tribute to 12 men and women for their intellect, talents and abilities that energized the movement that spanned a generation,” said Weldon Postmaster Buffi Flagg.

Honorees include: Mary Church Terrell, Mary White Ovington, J.R. Clifford, Joel Elias Spingarn, Oswald Garrison Villard, Daisy Gatson Bates, Charles Hamilton Houston, Walter White, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, and Ruby Hurley. Art director Ethel Kessler and stamp designer Greg Berger chose to approach this project through photographic montage, pairing two pioneers in each stamp was a way of intensifying the montage effect. The scheduled issue date is Feb. 12 in New York, N.Y.

The event featured performances by Weldon First Baptist Church Praise Dancers. Also, students from KIPP Pride High School, under the direction of Walter Price, portrayed each of the pioneers. 

Other program participants included: HCC President Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr., Weldon High School Jr. ROTC, Pastor David Schmaltz, Tina Davis, USPS Communications Coordinator Carl Walton, and HCC Board Chair Dr. Stanley Edwards.

Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr., Buffi Flagg and Carl Walton unveiled the Civil Rights Pioneers Stamp, Feb. 5.