For the second year in a row, the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 50 Women of Excellence gathered in the Westin Convention Center to be recognized for their achievements. “We are pleased to honor you today to showcase your achievements and honor your commitment to the community,” said WPXI-TV news anchor Vince Simms, the master of ceremonies.
At the AFL-CIO convention in Pittsburgh, President Barack Obama continued his push for health care reform. His speech on Sept. 15 in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center was delivered to a crowd of union members from across the country, overwhelmingly in support of his mission. PUSHING HEALTH CARE—President Barack Obama addresses the delegates attending the AFL-CIO convention in Pittsburgh. “We have talked this issue to death. Nothing in the plan will require you to change your coverage or your doctor,” Obama said. “In the United States of America, no one should have to go broke just because they got sick.”
Whether fighting in Korea or for civil rights in the streets of Pittsburgh, Harvey Adams Jr. was a soldier. And he received a soldier’s farewell from the U.S. Army honor guard that joined more than 300 friends at his funeral. HONORED SERVICE—A U.S. Army honor guard presents Harvey Adams’ widow, Shirley, with the flag that covered his casket during his funeral service at Bethel AME Church in the Hill District. Adams, who died Sept. 7, was lauded as a man of action, who in his role as a police officer, president of the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch and a director of the city’s housing authority police, helped transform Pittsburgh and its police force in particular, to the betterment of African-Americans and women.
It takes a lot to surprise Mark Smith. He was once in the Guinness Book of World Records for having (now) 23 pacemakers installed in his chest since he was two years old and travels to UPMC McKeesport three times a week for kidney dialysis treatments. BUSTED—Heart and kidney patient Mark Smith points to where constables damaged his front door and its combination lock that can allow paramedics to reach him in an emergency. But at midnight on Aug. 25, a group of Allegheny County constables did surprise Smith by breaking down his door and restraining him and his daughter. They had come to serve a warrant for unpaid child support.
For the seventh year, the Sprout Fund hosted its annual showcase of supported programs and projects. Among the programs highlighted at this year’s Hot House on Aug. 29 were the Legacy Arts Project and SponsorChange. SponsorChange is an online community where graduates receive direct student loan payments for volunteering. The site also serves as a social networking medium, where participants can share their experiences while promoting an overall dedication to volunteerism. HOT HOUSE—News anchor Brenda Waters, second from left, and Emmai Alaquiva from WAMO, center, with other guests at the Sprout Fund event.
In the first of a series of public discussions on the juvenile justice system’s effect on communities, the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union held a meeting at the Homewood library on minors receiving life sentences. COMMUNITY CONCERN—As Paula Harris listens, Debbie Bailey, right, says the ACLU helped her son after he was placed in the Allegheny County Jail at 15, during the ACLU’s Juvenile Justice Discussion in Homewood. “This is a complex issue and we want folks dealing with it to look to the ACLU as an ally,” said spokesperson Erin Gill at the Sept. 10 meeting in the Homewood Library. “Unfortunately, our scheduling competes with the (Pittsburgh) Steelers opening game, so we didn’t get as many people as we’d like.”
Civil rights activist Harvey Adams died recently, so we asked Pittsburghers what was their reaction to his death and life. Here’s what you said: “He had a whole lot of impact. He made a lot possible for Blacks in the city of Pittsburgh. He was a shaker, mover and inspiration for the Pittsburgh police. He opened up a lot of avenues and will never be missed because he’ll always be remembered.” MARCIA BATTLE-REID
Parkinson’s cruise SEPT. 16—The Allegheny Neurological and the American Parkinson’s Disease Association will host a Parkinson’s Disease Cruise from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Gateway Clipper Majestic, 350 W. Station Square Dr., Station Square. The cruise is designed to bring the latest information about Parkinson’s to families affected by the disease in the Pittsburgh area. Guests include actress Holly Robinson-Peete of the HollyRod Foundation and Susan Baser of Allegheny General Hospital. The event is free and registration is required. The boat will begin boarding at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 1-866-227-9788, ext. 5798 or 5723.
On his way to serve in the Korean War, Harvey Adams and a White companion were returning to Ft. Benning, Ga. and were so engrossed in swapping stories that they boarded the White section of the train. The conductor told Adams, “Boy, you’ll have to go to the back.” Adams’ friend said, “We’re not going anywhere.” To avoid trouble, Adams backed down. It was the last time he ever did. HARVEY ADAMS JR. “He never spoke to me again. I lost a friend over cowardice,” said Adams. “It’s lessons like that that haunts you the rest of your life.”
Over the Labor Day weekend, 57 National City bank branches across western Pennsylvania were converted to First Niagara Financial, making them the third largest in the Pittsburgh region. This conversion marks the initial entrance of First Niagara, which first emerged in Albany, N.Y., into the local market with 37 branches appearing in Allegheny County alone. GIVING BACK— John Koelmel gives backpacks to students from Point Park University Children’s School. “First Niagara has grown significantly over the past 10 years and Pittsburgh would be one of the largest markets for them,” said Regional President Todd Moules. “It’s an attractive market for them in terms of the economy still being relatively sound.”
