By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - Two women returned to the Cass County Council on Aging (COA) Thursday afternoon to deliver an inspirational performance.
They portrayed historic women in their struggles for peace, equality and justice.
Gladys Muhammad and Vernell Ball-Daniel, both of South Bend, Ind., brought to life four women of the past who deserve to be remembered during Black HIstory Month.
The two performers met three years ago while during a radio show, Neighbor Voices, on Smokin' WFMK 99.1, encouraging banks to reinvest in the neighborhood by offering home loans.
Enjoyed at the COA a few years ago, they were asked to return for a living history show, also attended by a class from Sam Adams Elementary School and members of the African American Society from Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School.
Sasha Lanier and Carmalita Peake of the high school led the room in the group's song.
Muhammad is a social worker and community activist, who worked hard to bring the Charles Martin Youth Center to fruition.
In 1994, the Indiana University graduate was named to the South Bend Hall of Fame and chosen as the YWCA Woman of the Year.
Ball-Daniel is a storyteller, actress, writer and educator. She taught school at all levels and has worked to encourage African American artists. She is an undergraduate from Eastern Michigan University and has her masters.
Her stories, of the parable of the eagle and the burning orchard. She asked of the audience, “What can one person do? Who will be the next one to step up?”
She also provided the narratives and introduced Muhammad, as she changed into Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. Ball-Daniel portrayed Rosa Parks and Elizabeth Eckford.