25th City/County Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance
“Our Challenge: Community and Peace”
Monday, January 18, 6:00 p.m., Overture Capital Center 201 State Street, Madison, WI
Keynote Speaker: Ms. Dorothy Cotton, Former Education Director Under
Dr. King of the Sothern Christian Leadership Conference.
Please join the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition in welcoming Ms. Dorothy Cotton to Madison for the recognition and celebration of Dr. King’s enduring vision and leadership in the achievement of the beloved community and peace.
Ms. Cotton was the highest ranking female in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), founded by Dr. King. She was the educational director for 12 years and was part of King's entourage to Oslo, when he received the Nobel Peace Prize. She later served as Vice President for Field Operations at the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, directed the federal agency for volunteer programs during the Carter Administration, and served as Cornell University's student activities director. Currently she is involved in the expansion of the National Citizenship School and finishing an upcoming book that will focus on lessons from the historic citizenship education programs and her work with Dr. King.
In 1967, Dr. King said: “Dorothy Cotton’s bravery, insight and steadfastness have been invaluable to the Movement.” Former UN Ambassador and Former Mayor of Atlanta Rev. Andrew Young acknowledges her as “one of the great women of the [Civil Rights] Movement”
Ms. Cotton was featured in an ABC Special with the late Peter Jennings and has spoken and traveled extensively throughout the world. She translates years of experience and learning into words and song bearing messages of hope. Through "Songs of the Movement," laughter and storytelling, Ms. Cotton synthesizes the lessons from our history into a working vision for the future. She gets us to laugh, sing, and join together to create a more caring and humane world. Her ability to inspire and challenge an audience to join in words and song bearing messages of hope and service has been heralded in the Washington Post. This will be our first opportunity to hear her in Madison.
The Dorothy Cotton Institute is being developed in Ithaca, NY to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of this “compelling and inspiring model for liberation struggles around the world.” She continues to empower thousands of disenfranchised people to join together and take action for significant social change for all.
In addition to Ms. Cotton’s keynote address, the event will feature the presentation of the annual City/County Dr. King Awards presented by Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
Music will be provided by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Choir led by noted local music directors Leotha Stanley and Letrice Stanley. Participation in the choir is open to all interested individuals. If interested, be sure to attend the two required rehearsals at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2019 Fisher Street: Tuesday, January 12, 7:00pm and Saturday, January 16, 11:00 a.m.
The community is also invited to attend the King Coalition’s 23rd Annual Free Community Dinner, 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., on Friday, January 15th at Gordon Commons, Room B5, University of Wisconsin Campus, 717 W. Johnson Street. Enjoy a wonderful meal with friends, old and new, in Dr. King’s spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood for community and peace. Free shuttle bus service to and from the dinner will be provided by Kobussen Buses Ltd. Pickups are scheduled at the YWCA, 101 E Mifflin Street (depart 5:00 p.m.) and Grace Episcopal Church, 116 W. Washington Ave. (depart 5:15 p.m.) with a return trip at 6:30 p.m..
Major financial sponsorship for King Coalition events is provided by Alliant Energy, American Family Insurance, City of Madison, CUNA Mutual Group, Dane County, Dean & St. Mary's, M & I Bank, MG&E, and UW Madison.
The King Coalition was established in the fall of 1985 as a community group to plan the official City of Madison and Dane County observances of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. The Coalition brings people from all walks of life together in the spirit of true brotherhood and sisterhood to commemorate the life and accomplishments of this renowned leader of the civil rights movement. Moreover, King Coalition events encourage the people of the Dane County community to reaffirm their commitment to building a just community out of our racial, religious and economic diversity.
In addition to King Coalition sponsored events, other activities commemorating the King Holiday include:
Monday, January 18, The 12th Annual Youth Service Day, 8:00am to 3:00 p.m., Monona Terrace: Educational workshops, community volunteer projects, President’s Volunteer Service Awards. Contact JoAnne Akyeampong: 729-1236 or jakyeampong@ulgm.org
Saturday, January 16, I Have a Dream Scholarship Ball: Sponsored by Women In Focus, the Ball raises money to provide college scholarships to deserving students. The festive evening will be held at the Monona Terrace, beginning at 6 p.m. Contact Edith Hilliard, 249-7155 for tickets.
Sunday, January 17, The 26th Annual Urban League Guild Recognition Breakfast, 7:45 a.m., Edgewood High School, 2219 Monroe Street. More than 150 students will be recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments and community services. High school seniors will be awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. College Scholarships. The Madison Metropolitan School District will announce the 2010 Mann Scholars. Tickets are available for only $5 online ($8 at the door) at www.ulgm.org or by calling (608) 729-1200.
Sunday, January 17, 4:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical Church Service: Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2019 Fisher Street, Madison.