On January 17, America will honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As one of our nation’s greatest leaders, Dr. King fought the scourge of racism through his transformative leadership, inspiring and action-oriented words, legislative advocacy, and acts of civil disobedience.
Alongside other civil rights pioneers such as Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, John Lewis, and Bayard Rustin, Dr. King harnessed the power of non-violent protest to bring an end to segregation under shameful Jim Crow laws, and inspired generations of activists to fight for racial justice and the rights of all people.
This year, as we continue to roll out Fenway Health’s new Strategic Plan and Racial Equity Action Plan, we look to lessons taught by leaders like Dr. King. The values that we strive to live every day are rooted in the work of racial equity and social justice: Community. Compassion. Humility. Innovation. Integrity. Justice. Learning.
We encourage our Fenway Health community to take some time on Monday to reflect on Dr. King’s works and words, identify ways that each of us can show up to fight injustice in our own backyards, and seize opportunities to help others.
While the ongoing pandemic has canceled most in-person events, virtual observances and service opportunities are available:
- The King Center is hosting a number of virtual events throughout the week.
- The National Civil Rights Museum will hold King Day: An All-Day Hybrid Celebration on Monday, which includes a virtual presentation.
- Locally, the 52nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast, presented by St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church and Union United Methodist Church, will be held on Zoom.
- Boston Cares is hosting its 17th Annual MLK Service Event, featuring many virtual opportunities to volunteer in our communities.
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Montgomery, Alabama, 1957