For centuries, African American women have been remaking the
world, giving testament to the power of hope, courage, and
resilience. But it took the inspired generosity of Oprah
Winfrey to honor fully the many gifts of sisterhood. For
three amazing days–from May 13 to 15, 2005–a distinguished
group of women was invited to celebrate the enduring
achievements of twenty-five of their mentors and role
models–and in the process pay tribute to the long, glorious
tradition of African American accomplishment.
The
brilliant centerpiece of the weekend was the reading aloud
of Pearl Cleage’s poem “We Speak Your Names,” written
especially for the occasion and appearing here for the first
time in this beautiful keepsake book. As deeply moving in
print as it was during that weekend of love and praise, the
poem names each of the women honored: Dr. Maya Angelou,
Coretta Scott King, Diahann Carroll, Toni Morrison, Nikki
Giovanni, Rosa Parks, Katherine Dunham, and other legends of
the brightest magnitude. With heartfelt eloquence, Pearl
Cleage (herself a luminary of the younger generation)
celebrates her distinguished elders’ strength, their magic,
their sensuality, their loving kindness, their faith in
themselves, and the priceless example of their lives. In her
introduction, the poet shares: “My sisters, here, there, and
everywhere, this poem is for you. Use it, adapt it, pass it
on. . . .”
Destined to become a classic, We
Speak Your Names is a treasure to keep forever and a
precious, inspiring gift for the ones you love.n n
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