Thank you for honoring

Dred and Harriet


Posted: Thursday, April 3, 2008 12:00 am

Thank you for honoring Dred and Harriet By Lynne M. Jackson St. Louis American

For the St. Louis American

It is not often we get to commemorate major events at critical junctures, but we have all had the opportunity to be alive at the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision.

Surely, there was a marked difference between the 100th anniversary, when my father, Dr. John A. Madison, and his brother, Dred Scott Madison, were in St. Louis to recognize that event. Special people like the Rev. Edward Dowling and Mrs. Charles Harrison (granddaughter of Taylor Blow) played a major role in that historic moment by locating the exact site of Dred Scott’s grave at Calvary Cemetery and by providing a headstone for him, noting his remarkable contribution to the end of slavery in this country.

Fifty years later, Dred and Harriet Scott’s sacrifice and tenacity were recognized by Bryan Cave LLP law firm, which supported me completely in this commemorative year. Washington University held a three-day symposium with all Missouri Supreme Court justices there but one; Harvard University also hosted a three-day symposium given by Dr. Charles Ogletree Jr. Thanks to Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, Bryan Cave Chairman Don Lents and others, I was invited to participate in the National Association of Attorneys General Conference last March.

More than 60 Friends of the 150th Anniversary participated over the year by hosting events, educational forums, new theatre pieces, and new or updated museum attractions here in St. Louis. On behalf of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation, I thank everyone who did anything to honor and respect the Scotts, by helping to retell their story and share new findings to educate us all about this brave iconic couple. The St. Louis American has been an excellent Friend in promoting these activities, and for this we are most grateful.

Our first-ever Gala was a time of education, history, musical surprises and family secrets. Ruth Ann Hagar’s account of Gloria Detleff’s findings about the babies in Dred and Harriet’s graves is a recent rediscovery that should make everyone curious about their own heritage. Don’t assume there is nothing to discover; seacrh, and you will find SOMETHING!

As we continue to work towards erecting a statue of Dred Scott in our city, my hope and prayer is that we will continue to look at the courage of those who have gone before and find it again, in ourselves. I hope and pray that we may go forward, in a way that our grandchildren will look back and be proud. The choice is ours, the time is now.

Thank you, St. Louis, for honoring Dred and Harriet Scott with us!

Lynne M. Jackson is a great-great granddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott and president and founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation. Visit  www.thedredscottfoundation.org.