Maya Angelou Elementary School Rededication Ceremony

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, October 1, 2014

At the 10th anniversary of the renaming of Waldo Ralph Emerson Elementary School (15748 Page St., Harvey, Ill.) to Maya Angelou Elementary School on September 22, 2014, a bronze plaque honoring Dr. Maya Angelou her was unveiled.
At the 10th anniversary of the renaming of Waldo Ralph Emerson Elementary School (15748 Page St., Harvey, Ill.) to Maya Angelou Elementary School on September 22, 2014, a bronze plaque honoring Dr. Maya Angelou her was unveiled. Photo by Lee Edwards.

On Sept. 22, Harvey School Dist. 152 held a rededication ceremony to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the renaming of Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School as Maya Angelou Elementary School (15748 Page St., Harvey, Ill). The commemorative ceremony was as a celebration of the life of Dr. Maya Angelou, who was present at the school's initial renaming ceremony on Sept. 22, 1995.

“On behalf of the staff and student body we are honored to share this historic moment,” said Iretha Brown, Principal of Maya Angelou Elementary School. “In tribute to Dr. Angelou’s profound wisdom and inspiring words, Angelou school has adopted the rainbow theme of being a rainbow in someone’s cloud for this school year. Thank you District 152 for pursuing the vision of dedicating this school after someone who personifies a spirit of greatness, hope and strength.”

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Photo by: Lee Edwards

L-R: Colin Ashanti Johnson, grandson of Dr. Maya Angelou; Iretha Brown, Maya Angelou Elementary School Principal; and Elliott Mathews Jones, grandson of Dr. Maya Angelou, pose for a picture in front of a plaque honoring Dr. Maya Angelou.

The renaming process was originally spearheaded by Emerson School's principal in 1995, Sophia B. Taylor.

“Back in those days the District 152 School Board brought forth a challenge to the administrators to change the name of their buildings to reflect the population that they serve; I accepted that challenge,” said Taylor.

“In my mind I saw an African American female who was also alive and whose contributions had something to do with what our students at my school was experiencing,” Taylor continued.

Taylor also recalled that in order to obtain Dr. Angelou’s contact information, she called a local radio station that publicized a Chicagoland event where Dr. Angelou was scheduled to appear. After contacting Dr. Angelou, Taylor said the entire name changing process took about two years to complete.

A bronze plaque commemorating both the initial renaming ceremony and the 10th anniversary ceremony was unveiled at the event that was held in a tent next to the school. Two of Dr. Angelou’s grandsons, Colin Ashanti Johnson and Elliott Mathews Jones, were present to accept the honor and to speak on her behalf.

“My grandmother went to a lot of upscale events and was recognized by a lot of people but she made it a point that she supported schools and education,” said Ashanti Johnson.

Before her passing on May 28, 2014 at her home in Winston-Salem, N.C., Dr. Angelou, born Marguerite Johnson, was recognized and celebrated as a world-renowned poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright and civil-rights activist. Probably, best known best for book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), Angelou was a global iconic and inspirational figure.

For more information contact Melvin Caldwell at (312) 907-7586.

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