About Us: Past & Present
Alice P. Morgan launched the first Memorial Program in honor of Dr. King in 1973.
In 1973, Alexandria civic leader and activist, Alice P. Morgan initiated the City’s first memorial program in honor of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program was endorsed by then Mayor Charles Beatley to be held on King’s birthday. This was a decade prior to President Ronald Reagan signing the holiday bill into law in 1983 and three decades prior to every state recognizing and celebrating Dr. King’s birthday as a National Holiday in 2000.
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The above description and a full history of the event is available at the City of Alexandria website, found here. Photos below are just a small sample of photos also available on that site. We encourage you to learn more by visiting the City site.
"In some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty."
-- Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Meet the Planning Committee
Rosa Byrd
Chair Person
Samia Byrd
Secretary
Rev. Timothy Bryant
Committee Member
Lawrence Robinson
Committee Member
William Euille
Committee Member
Semone Byrd
Vice Chair
Darnella McGuire-Nelson
Committee Member
Tara Casagrande
Committee Member
Louise Phillips-Hardy
Committee Member
McArthur Myers
Committee Member
Ellen Nelson
Treasurer
Beatrice McGuire
Committee Member
Heather Jelks
Committee Member
Melynda Wilcox
Committee Member
Jason Ellis
Producer
Photos of Rosa Byrd and Ellen Nelson courtesy of Steven Halperson, Tisara Photography