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Black Women United For Action
September 22, 2007 - Black Women United for Action (BWUFA) held its annual Wreath Laying Ceremony to commemorate the slaves who lived and worked on George Washington's Mt. Vernon plantation. Washington and his wife owned more than 300 slaves on roughly 8,000 acres of land. This year's theme: The Ancestors Are Watching. See coverage of last year's event at http://dculs.com/bwufa.html.
 
Dr. Carolyn Thomas, bringing greetings and African American history lessons from the Canadian Underground Railroad Descendants organization.
Black Women United For Action photo
Mrs. Sheila Coates, BWUFA President.
Black Women United For Action photo
Mrs. Althea Tolliver, from the Candian Underground Railroad Descendants organization spoke words of enlightenment to the assembled guests.
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Mother of CSI actor Gary Dourdan reads the words to a song written by Gary just for the occasion. Although Dourdan made last year's ceremony (See   http://dculsmagazine.photosite.com/BWUFA) he was unable to make this year's ceremony.
Etan Thomas was on hand with one of his poems for the ceremony.   Read more about Etan's book of poems at   http://dculs.com/etanthomas.html.
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Mrs. Evelyn Kershaw, Nikki Giovanni Youth Writers Program Coordinator for Black Women United For Action.
Soloist for the Intermezzo Choir as the perform, You Reap What You Sow.
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
We're told this is where the body of George Washington lies on the grounds of Mt. Vernon.
Black Women United For Action photo
The Intermezzo Choir Ministry of Philadelphia
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
The pouring of libations.  An African custom to honor the Ancestors.
Black Women United For Action photo
Attendees of the ceremony make their way to the burial site where ceremonial box wood wreaths pieces will be laid at the bottom of the monument.
The Virginia State University Choir marches toward memorial area as they and the crowd sing Hush, Hush Somebody's Callin' My Name; Balm In Gilead; and Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit.
The actual memorial erected to honor men, children, and women who were born, worked, and died on George Washington's Mt. Vernon slave plantation. www.mountvernon.org.
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Members of the Chantilly Wesleyan Church representing the West African Countries of Cameroon, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Members of the original Tuskegee Airmen attended and participated in the ceremony. Visit http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org.
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Black Women United For Action photo
Tuskegee Airman, and member of the Chantilly United Wesleyan Church lay the ceremonial wreath.
Students of the African American History Club at Garfield Senior High.
Black Women United For Action photo
Enscription on the slave memorial at Mount Vernon plantation.
James Rees, Executive Director Mount Vernon seen here chatting with Sheila Coates, President of BWUFA.
 

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