Friday, Feb. 18, 2005

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Holly Grove honors civil rights pioneer

By CAROLYN CARY
ccary@TheCitizenNews.com

In observance of Black History Month, members of the Holly Grove AME Church erected a monument to W. W. Law. The Savannah civil rights leader spoke to the church in Feb. 1999.

He served in the United States Army in World War II after which he graduated from Georgia State college, earning a degree in biology. Unable to find a job teaching, he became employed with the United States Postal Service and served as a letter carrier for 42 years.

He was a key person in the preservation of black history and culture in Savannah. He is credited with forming the Savannah-Yamacraw Branch Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, as well as the Savannah Negro Heritage Trail Tour.

He never married and devoted his life to preserving and perpetuating African-American history. He was instrumental in establishing the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum in Savannah. Representatives of the museum were on hand including its CEO, Helen R. Johnson, and Joseph and Alma Addison, board members.

Guest speaker for the memorial dedication was the Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III, who was a longtime friend of Law, and a former resident of Fayette County.

He said that “if we didn’t have Black History Month, many of us would forget we were black. We need to keep pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement in mind, as well as those who labor in the NAACP. Many here have served in that organization for more than a quarter of a century, as have I.

“W. W. Law is in a distinguished group of leaders that include Fredrick Douglass, Ralph Mark Gilbert, and Martin Luther King Jr.

“Leaders must have courage, they must stay focused, they must be dependable and decisive, and not only have vision, but be able to articulate that vision.

“Today we pay tribute to these men and those whose names are not as well known, but were a strong influence in their community.

“The memorial plaque we dedicated earlier this afternoon is situated in a lovely landscaped spot. It is the first memorial to honor W. W. Law, and it serves to remind us of our heritage. It also serves as a conversation piece when children ask who he was,” Rivers concluded.

Recognition was given to Jimmy Rainey for his work on the landscaping and placement of the Law monument.

W. W. Law died July 29, 2002 at the age of 79 at his home in Savannah.

The Rev. David Morrow serves as the pastor of Holly Grove AME Church, It is located at 400 Holly Grove Church Road in Peachtree City. It can be reached at 770-631-7650.