A tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. – Part 5 of 5

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses civil rights marchers in Selma, Ala., in 1965.

In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, UNMC Today will feature a series of photographs and quotations from the civil rights leader. In today’s excerpt, Dr. King comments on racism.

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“Like life, racial understanding is not something that we find but something that we must create. And so the ability of Negroes and whites to work together, to understand each other, will not be found readymade; it must be created by the fact of contact.” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “The words of Martin Luther King Jr. (2nd ed),” New York: Newmarket Press

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Plan to attend

The 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration, sponsored by UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center, will be Monday, Jan. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. in The Truhlsen Campus Events Center, first floor of the Sorrell Center. The event is free, open to the public and includes free lunch for the first 300 people.

Speaking at the event will be Omaha World-Herald columnist and community volunteer, Janice Gilmore.

Gilmore was born and raised in Omaha. She graduated from North High School, received a bachelor of science degree in education and a master of science degree in education administration, both from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Gilmore had a 31-year career in the Omaha Public Schools system as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. She writes a column for the Omaha World-Herald as well as Revive!, an African American lifestyle and community empowerment magazine. In addition, she wrote an inspirational children’s book about Omaha and a book about grief for PULSE, a group assisting families of homicide victims.

Dr. King’s words Leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, UNMC Today ran a five-day series of quotes from the civil rights leader. Click on the links below to read the quotes that ran earlier this week. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

A role model for women of all ages, Gilmore is a member of Concerned and Caring Educators, NSEAR, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Urban League, and the NAACP. She also is a board member for Project Hope, African American Empowerment, Inc., and the Community Advisory Board of Bright Futures Foundation.

Gilmore has received several awards and recognitions including The College of Education University of Nebraska at Omaha Distinguished Alumni Award, YWCA Tribute to Women, Viking of Distinction, and Omaha Schools Foundation Award.

For more information, contact Jo Giles at 559-4696 or send an e-mail to jgiles@unmc.edu.