[Durham INC] Editorial: Join the Pauli Murray Project (Herald-Sun)

[John Schelp]

Editorial: Join the Pauli Murray Project
Herald-Sun, 14 July 2009
 
In wandering around Durham, you may have noticed the same thin, energetic face looking out at you from various walls around town. 

If so, you've probably had an encounter with Pauli Murray. 

Murray, who died in 1985, remains a powerful presence in Durham. 

Murray was raised in the East End's Carroll Street, then a rough and tumble part of Durham. It is a great credit to Murray's parents, teachers and others who stopped to help her that she eventually became a lawyer, a historian, a teacher, a writer and a poet. 

And in 1977, she was honored by being named the first black woman to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. 

That was quite an achievement, but as John McCann reported Monday, it wasn't all of Pauli Murray. She was also a lawyer, historian, poet and teacher. 

Her diversity of training and her unusual background is reflected in Durham's own widespread diversity. Murray's ancestors included blacks, whites and Native Americans. 

Her inspiration led many groups to honor and remember her life of accomplishment. 

The Pauli Murray Project was set up to encourage people to read Murray's book, called "Proud Shoes." The project is led by Duke University professor Barbara Lau. 

Lau wants people to form groups to discuss "Proud Shoes." Learn more by contacting Lau at balau at duke.edu or 919-613-6167. 

We hope many people get involved in the project, and learn more about the amazing Pauli Murray. Her story, in a way, is the nation's story, and is also Durham's story. 

The American Dream is of a place where anyone can use their God-given talents to become a success. And helping others along the way is part of being successful. 

In that way, the American Dream was also Durham's dream. Durham was a place in which blacks could also become prosperous. Prejudice was still prevalent, but there were also more opportunities for blacks and other minorities that weren't available elsewhere. 

Getting to know Pauli Murray could teach us more about those dreams, about Durham, and about ourselves.