By TOM RUE
WOODBOURNE -- Hundreds turned out on February 11 to honor Gladys Seals, 93, of Liberty, at the 16th annual Frederick Douglass breakfast. The inspirational event -- sponsored by the Sullivan County Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History -- is designed to emphasize multi-cultural unity, said association president Dr. Lewis Howard of Fallsburg.Seals was honored for her work as "a civic leader, musician and living inspiration," according to Dr. William F. Browne of Long Eddy, who presented the award. Browne is a professor of English at Brooklyn College.
Accepting the placque, standing at a podium beneath a large photo of Frederick Douglass, Seals seemed at a loss for words, so she turned to the medium she knows best to communicate her feelings. "There isn't much I can say, but I'll play a little saxophone solo to show how I feel," she explained, leading into a strong rendition of "Honeysuckle Rose."
Seals said the song held memories for her of when she used to play it at the Amsterdam Musical Association in upper Manhattan, of which she was an active member in the 1950s. A life member of Local #802 of the Musicians Union, and founder of a classical performing arts group for women known as the Symphonettes, Seals said she rarely joins organizations other than those which are musically oriented.
An 11-year resident of Liberty, Seals now lives with her neice and not far from her sister, Setma Zeigler, who sang a hymn of celebration at the breakfast. It was the presence of family members here, she said, which attracted her to Sullivan County, adding, "But I love New York City."
Active in the Retired Senior Volunteers Program of the Office of the Aging, Seals said she regularly visits hospitals, hotels and nursing homes around the area to share her musical gifts. She devotes what spare time she has at home to decorating plastic bags, which she gives away to friends as gifts.
Though she has no children, and has been widowed three times in her life, Seals voiced gratitude for the loved ones who surround her.
"Life has been wonderful to me. I have no complaints, no complaints," she said.
This is the second year in a row the prestigious Frederick Douglass Award has gone to a professional musician. Last year's honoree was Bazeley Perry of Monticello, founder of a local Masonic lodge, musician and teacher.
Other honorees
Other awards went to successful area black role-models, including:
Sonya Yvette Bridges Hamilton, of Liberty, a senior caseworker in the children's services unit at the Sullivan County Department of Social Services, formerly worked with teens in an employment and training program at Liberty High School. Accepting her plaque, Hamilton gave thanks to God and her parents for instilling in her solid values and the will to succeed.
Antoinette Williams, 25, a Monticello native, now a White Plains corporate attorney, and one of eight children born to Elaine Williams and Perry Hill. Antoinette received her law degree from Syracuse University Law School in 1994, where she was also active in a number of associations and civic activities. Her goals include establishing a private practice and becoming a U.S. senator or governor of New York State.
Antoinette's mother, Elaine Williams, was also honored in her role as a parent, four of whom have graduated from college, with two presently enrolled in college and two still in high school. Elaine is president of the Resident's Council of the Monticello Housing Authority, where she engages in political activities such as organizing a candidates' debate for the upcoming Monticello village election, and advocating for the rights of tenants. Elaine Williams graduated high school in 1964, and came to Monticello the following year.
Mitchell Patterson, Sr., 40, who grew up in South Fallsburg and now lives in Cicero, NY, the first African-American manager at Newark Electronics Corp., was also honored. He is married to the former Maureen DellaVelle, a third grade teacher. They have a son, Mitchell, Jr. Summing up the significance of the awards and the ASAALH, Dr. Howard reflected that, "Many people might not know what kind of organization the association is. Some people might thing we're a black protest group. But actually, it was started by historians."
ASAALH was the moving force behind the national designation of Black History Month in the late 1950s, Dr. Howard said; and its predecessor, Negro History Week, as it was called back in 1926. The Douglass breakfast is held every year on the second Sunday in February, coinciding with the original week of ASAALH celebration.
"Lincoln's [birth] month is the black people's month," Dr. Howard noted.
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