Celebrating African American leaders of the past and present
Just a few weeks ago, America celebrated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first African American woman to serve on the Supreme Court. It has taken 232 years for this landmark appointment to take place.
As an African American, I cannot put into words the gratitude in my heart for this gifted woman of God. Her appointment to the Supreme Court is not only historic but it also speaks volumes to the extraordinary talents all people from every walk of life possess, regardless of one’s color or gender. God has given us all gifts.
My prayer is that those gifts will be recognized and honored. As Judge Brown Jackson began to speak from her heart about all those who supported her, the first words out of her mouth were her thanks to God. Her tenacity to work diligently for justice is apparent. As she faced harsh criticism about her position, life, and even character, she skillfully navigated it all with dignity and grace. We have come a long way in our country, and we still have a long way to go, but her nomination to the highest court in the land is something that every American ought to recognize and applaud. It not only speaks to each of us, but it speaks to our girls, our daughters, and our granddaughters, that there is nothing they cannot do if given the opportunity.
As a father, I cannot help but to thank God for this historic accomplishment. I pray that all of America, and I do mean all of America, will recognize people, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. While we celebrate the accomplishments of this great African American woman of the present, we at the same time look back and see the many great African American leaders of the past that have blessed our communities and our nation. The list of such individuals is long, and this article would not allow me to name them all. But there is one man I want to acknowledge in our own community: Dr. Frank E. Boston.
This giant of a man was a World War I veteran who founded both a hospital and ambulance corps in Lansdale. The hospital was founded as Elm Terrace Hospital, later became North Penn Hospital, and is now, Jefferson Lansdale Hospital, a part of the Jefferson-Abington
network. The ambulance corps of Lansdale also founded by Dr. Boston is now known as the Volunteer Medical Service Corps.
Dr. Boston’s accomplishments are great and numerous. He will be honored on Monday, May 2, at the Jefferson Lansdale Hospital, with the unveiling of his portrait and the naming of the lobby in his honor. His recognition is long overdue, for the name of Dr. Boston is known worldwide. His achievement as a physician and surgeon will finally be recognized. It is by prayer that the time will come in America when African
Americans and people of all ethnicities will be given their rightful recognition as well as continued opportunities to use their gifts and talents in serving all people. When we say we’re one nation under God, to me that’s more than just a saying, it has to be demonstrated. This is demonstrated in allowing people the opportunity, not only to be recognized, but to be respected. Thank you, Dr. Frank Boston, for the many contributions you have made, and thank you Judge Jackson for your tenacity, commitment, and courage to serve all of America.