 "Twenty-five years ago, amid the
struggle against apartheid, I volunteered as a high school teacher
in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was still in prison, and black South
Africans were still denied the right to vote. I taught English,
math, history and science to my students, but I knew my true work
was in educating the next generation of black South African women to
be ready to lead in a new South Africa. Mandela's unrelenting
strength and courage made this dream a reality for my students and
their families."Today, with his passing, we lost one of the
greatest moral leaders of our time. Mandela's legacy of struggle and
leadership will be remembered along with those of Ghandi and King as
among the most important toward ending government-sponsored racism
throughout the world.
[to top of second column] |
"My heart goes out to my South African friends and all those around
the world who helped bring an end to apartheid. May we all continue
to find inspiration for fighting injustice from Mandela's dedication
to freedom, equality and forgiveness."
[Text from file received from the office
of
Illinois Attorney General Lisa
Madigan] |
