My parents and I made a pilgrimage to two places of deep reflection and crafting of action to further social and economic justice – Highlander Center and the Children’s Defense Fund’s [Alex] Haley Farm, both in east Tennessee.
Highlander has been in existence for decades, incubating, educating, connecting, and inspiring justice work. We were hosted warmly there by Co-Director Allyn Maxfield-Steele, and met several other members of the Highlander staff, including Co-Director Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson. We were incredibly impressed with how warm, thoughtful and dedicated everyone was.
Haley Farm is a more recent part of Children’s Defense Fund’s work, but CDF has also been doing good work for decades. It was a quiet day there, but we were also welcomed there by one long-term staff-member.
In both cases, it was good to be reminded whose shoulders we stand on – that times were tough before, that people were visionary and committed to making the world a better place for all, and that they achieved positive change.
Just eight days after our visit at Highlander, the main office building was burned to the ground by white supremacists. Apparently, Highlander was doing something right!
Highlander has been absolutely inspirational in how they have taken the setback in stride, fearlessly continuing the work of inclusion and justice.
I am constantly inspired by the creativity and community of people trying to make the world a better place. Deep gratitude to the people and institutions who are committed to DOING that, and BEING that.
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- From the Highlander Center website
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- In addition to feeding the mind, the beautiful land of Highlander Center feeds the soul.
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- Highlander co-founder Myles Horton at the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign in Washington DC, organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
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- The front porch of the main office building, destroyed by fire eight days after our visit.
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- Justice art on the walls of the main office building at Highlander Center.
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- Historic books of the Highlander Library.
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- Education has always been at the heart of Highlander’s mission. The archives of justice movements past is vital history to celebrate and draw from.
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- Archived files of former Highlander director Suzanne Pharr, one of my political heroes and mentors.
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- From the Children’s Defense Fund website
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- The ark-shaped interfaith chapel was designed by artist Maya Lin, who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC and the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama.
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- Inside the chapel, set up here for a training meeting.
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- One of the retreat cabins at Haley Farm.
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- From the porch of another retreat cabin
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- The porch of another of the guest houses.
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- I LOVE seeing an image of MLK laughing.
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- River on the Haley Farm
