Grade-schoolers dedicate tree for Black History Month
A Right Deferred: African Americans and the Vote
February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate black historical achievements and culture in the United States. Tower Grove Park observes this historical tradition through an annual tree dedication ceremony. Park patrons are invited and encouraged to attend this free community event.
This year the Black History Month theme provided by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is “African Americans and the Vote.” The theme was chosen in honor of the centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment (1920) granting women’s suffrage and the sesquicentennial of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) giving black men the right to vote.
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders from Tower Grove Christian Academy have been asked to select and present upon three notable African Americans who fit with the year’s theme. The Park will in turn dedicate a tree planting to the African American honorees.
DATE | February 18, 2020
TIME | 9:30–11:30 a.m.
LOCATION | Presentations held in Piper Palm House; tree planting west of the Piper Palm House, near the tennis courts
TREE | Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii)
TENTATIVE TIMELINE
9:40 a.m. | Opening remarks
9:50–10:20 a.m. | School presentation of African American honorees
10:25–10:55 a.m. | Guests welcome to look at art created by students
11 a.m. | Tree planting and dedication ceremony outside
PAST HONOREES
28. Langston Hughes | February 22, 2019
27. George Washington Carver | February 22, 2019
26. Maya Angelou | February 21, 2017 | Kentucky Coffee
25. LeVar Burton | February 16, 2016 | Red Maple
24. Langston Hughes | February 25, 2015 | Eastern Redbud
23. Ruby Bridges | February 25, 2014 | Kousa Dogwood
22. Fred Gray | February 28, 2013 | Juniperus Virginiana
21. Dred Scott | February 29, 2012 | Japanese Tree Lilac
20. Robert McFerrin, Sr. | February 23, 2011 | Dogwood
19. Margaret Bush Wilson | February 23, 2010 | Eastern Redbud
18. Ms. Elizabeth Garlington | February 23, 2009 | Arborvitae
17. Dr. Rufus L. Young, Jr. | February 20, 2008 | Eastern Redbud
16. Mrs. Kathryn Nelson | February 26, 2007 | American Holly
15. Mrs. Rosa Parks | February 27, 2006 | Dogwood
14. Senator J.B. “Jet” Banks | February 28, 2005 | Dogwood
13. Dr. Julia Davis | February 20, 2004 | Spruce
12. Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. | March 14, 2003 | Foster Holly
11. Senator Paula J. Carter | March 22, 2002 | Spruce
10. Mrs. Marian Oldham | February 23, 2001 | Dogwood
9. Dr. John B. Ervin | February 18, 2000 | Dogwood
8. Dr. Samuel Shepard | February 26, 1999 | Dogwood
7. Mrs. Juanita Doggett | February 24, 1998 | Foster Holly
7. Dr. John Doggett | February 24, 1998 | Foster Holly
6. Mr. Frederick Weathers | February 25, 1997 | American Holly
5. Senator Theodore David McNeal | February 27, 1996 | Dogwood
4. Mr. Roy Wilkins | February 28, 1995 | Dogwood
3. Justice Thurgood Marshall | February 28, 1994 | American Holly
2. Dr. Martin Luther King | February 12, 1993 | Willow Oak
1. Mr. Scott Joplin | February 23, 1992 | Willow Oak