May 25, 2004

Evergreen family proud of historic civil rights legacy

By Bea Baechle
Editor

May 17 marked the 50th anniversary of the historical U.S. Supreme Court case of Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka, Kan. This landmark case declared that the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ had no place in the field of education.

Yet a decade before this landmark desegregation ruling in 1954, Berline Williams and Gladys Hedgepeth of Trenton, NJ, fought a similar desegregation battle and won. Both of their children were initially denied entrance to a brand new middle school in their neighborhood based strictly on their race.

Relatives of Williams
Since the Hedgepeth-Williams case was settled and won at the state level, most people aren’t as familiar with it as they are with Brown v. the Board of Education. Yet Lisa and Frankie McMillan of LeyVa Middle School know the case well; Berline Williams was their great-grandmother.

Consequently, Lisa compiled one of the most interesting and historically significant family photo history projects that her teacher Addie DeMedeiros had ever seen. DeMedeiros displayed the project, including a commendation from the State of New Jersey, in the LeyVa library for all the students to appreciate.

Lisa and Frankie’s father Frank Cane said it’s difficult for his children to comprehend the concept of segregation. They have grown up in an integrated world, and a particularly diverse one in the Evergreen area.

“I don’t harp on the past, but I don’t want them to forget the effort that their relatives fought for,” said Cane. “We’re very proud of what my grandmother went through. It took a lot of courage to do what she did in those days, and there were reprisals.”

Cane recalls his grandfather getting fired from his machinist job when he had to take time off work to drive his wife Berline to court during the hearings. Once the case was won, however, he was rehired.

Seeking better opportunities
Lisa’s great-grandmother and great-grandfather had been tobacco and soybean farmers in segregated Brunswick County, Va. They moved north to Trenton, NJ after World War I as part of the great migration of blacks to the industrialized north where they raised their seven children.

Although Lisa’s great-grandparents completed very little education, they felt that education was the best way to overcome poverty, and they engrained a belief in their children that if they put their minds to it, they could achieve anything.

Williams’ son Leon and Hedgepeth’s daughter Janet had already been attending an integrated elementary school in the neighborhood. Anxiously awaiting the opening of the new middle school just four blocks away, Williams and Hedgepeth were told to send their kids to the only junior high school designated for “Negro” students—almost three miles away.

Williams and Hedgepeth were both active volunteers for the Trenton Branch of the NAACP, which took over their legal defense. Their lawyer, Robert Queen, argued the case all the way to the New Jersey Supreme Court in less than a month.

On Jan. 31, 1944, the New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of their children, setting the precedent requiring equal treatment of students in public schools. Leon and Janet were quickly admitted to the new school, and, throughout the next year, about 200 African-American children transferred from the all-black school.

Ten years later, NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall cited the Hedgepeth-Williams case as a precedent for overturning racial desegregation in the nation’s public schools that resulted in the Brown v. Board of Education decision in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cane speculates that if the Hedgepeth-Williams case had been lost in New Jersey, it may have gone on to the U.S. Supreme Court, and more people would be familiar with its significance.

Impact on the family
Interestingly, almost 50 years after the Jan. 31, 1944 ruling of the New Jersey court, the middle school that had originally denied Leon and Janet admittance because of race was renamed Hedgepeth/Williams Middle School.

Leon’s son eventually became a faculty member there. His sister earned a Ph.D. and now serves on the state board of education. Another brother is a retired army colonel and worked for the Pentagon. Relatives of both the Hedgepeth and Williams families were recognized last month for their contributions in the Civil Rights movement.

Frank Cane attributes many of these achievements directly to his grandparents, and will no doubt, expect great things from his own children, Lisa and Frankie.

Meeting Reminder, June 2

View the Thompson Creek Trail master plan

Don’t miss the first opportunity to view the Thompson Creek Trail master plan on Wednesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m., at Holly Oak Elementary School, 2995 Rossmore Way. After many community meetings and workshops, Reed Dillingham of Dillingham Associates Landscape Architects has gathered lots of feedback for inclusion in this very important document.

Come be a part of the development of this six-mile creek trail that runs from Lake Cunningham Park to Heartland Way. For details, contact the District 8 Council Office (408) 277-5242 or e-mail rabia.chaudhry@sanjoseca.gov

New educational program for 55+ doubles in size

Open House June 1, sign-up for summer classes

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), targeting adults 55 and older, is now accepting sign-ups for its summer courses and free brown bag lunch sessions. You can also attend an open house on June 1, from 10 a.m. to noon, 2160 Lundy Avenue, Suite 250, San Jose for more information.

Courses are grouped into six categories: arts, humanities and history, personal enrichment, current events, science, technology and health and wellness. OLLI began offering classes in the fall of 2003 with 153 students. This spring, the number of enrollees jumped to 396.

Designed as a membership program that entitles members easy registration and attractive course fees, membership has grown from 25 last fall to 57 this spring. People may also enroll for classes individually, without a membership, though membership generally offers a better value.

Bring your lunch and join any of the following free Brown Bag sessions, from noon to 1 p.m.:

June 16 – The Basics of Disaster Preparedness with Al Tsugawa, MS, EMT

June 25 – Elderhostel Travel Adventures with Larry and Jill Fine, Elderhostel Ambassadors

June 29 – Healthy Aging with Peter Pompei, MD (Geriatrician), Stanford University School of Medicine

July 15 – Marriage & Relationships: Past, Present & Future with Marty Friedman, author of “If Women Only Knew:

Secrets of the Married Man’s Mind”

July 20 – The Secrets of Italian Chefs with Mia Chambers of Draeger’s Cooking School

OLLI is affiliated with San Jose State University and the Bernard Osher Foundation. It is located with SJSU’s Professional Development Program at 2160 Lundy Avenue, Suite 250, in San Jose near Brokaw Road, down the street from the Central Post Office. For more information on courses or to register, call (408) 519-1286 or (408) 519-1279.

Evergreen filmmaker’s movie ‘LOVE’ released on DVD

Smera Pro-ductions an-nounces the release on DVD of “LOVE,” a feature film produced by Evergreen resident Hari Mahesh at the following locations: Tower Records stores in Blossom Hill, Campbell, San Francisco(2 locations), Dublin, Concord and Fresno.

“LOVE” is more than a love story; it is a life story about the renewing power of love in the lives of the people around the central character Jack. He is put to the test when the love of his life is imprisoned for 20 years. An invalid out of the Marines, homeless and jobless, Jack determines to devote himself to her.

“LOVE” opened at the Edwards Theater in Fresno, Calif., last July and was also featured at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival in Los Angeles in March 2004. John Kelly, director of photography, has a list of credits that includes a Carnegie Medal winning video and an EMMY nominated PBS drama. Mahesh’s co-editor, Jack Gittings, holds numerous credits, including: “The Spy Who Loved Me,” “Splash” and “The Abyss.”

Hari Mahesh, a native of Chennai, India, founded Smera Productions in 1998. LOVE his second feature film. His first film, “CULT,” shot in the Bay Area, debuted in San Jose in 2000 and was featured at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival in New York that year.

For more information or to order the DVD online, visit the Web at: www.smeraproductions.com.

East San Jose youth earn chance at private education

The first annual Hometown Heroes Scholarship Dinner, sponsored by San Jose City Councilmember Dave Cortese and the East Side Heroes organization, drew more than 500 people into the GI Forum on San Jose’s East Side to pay tribute to Father Martin Rock, a longtime contributor to the field of education.

The highlight of the April event, however, was watching 11-year-old Karen Ortiz walk onto the stage and smile proudly as she accepted a full tuition scholarship to Notre Dame High School. Ortiz, a resident of the Tropicana neighborhood, has distinguished herself at the Alum Rock schools she attended.

“There are many students like Karen Ortiz, who excel academically but lack the financial wherewithal to attend these kinds of schools,” said Cortese, who partnered with East Side Heroes to raise in excess of $75,000.

Ortiz earned a full tuition scholarship and the balance of the money was awarded to the youth program of Father Rock’s designation.

East Side Heroes formed in 2003 to promote minority opportunities at private college preparatory schools like Bellarmine and Notre Dame. ESH will continue its efforts in the hopes of sending more and more underprivileged youth to these types of schools.

Those interested in future sponsorship opportunities should contact Councilmember Cortese’s office at (408) 277-5242.

SCVCC holds open house, membership drive

Hundreds of prospective members experienced a day in the life of Silver Creek Valley Country Club at an open house and membership drive on Sunday, May 23.

Visitors received a first-hand look at the state-of-the-art golf course, the sports pavilion featuring tennis, swimming and fitness areas; and the banquet and dining rooms. An exotic car show, an art show, live music and complimentary food and beverages provided by Pasta Pomodoro, Megabyte Pizza and Casa Castillo entertained SCVCC guests.

Residency at SCVCC is no longer a requirement for club membership. For more information, contact Membership Director Janice Graves at (408) 239-5888, ext. 106.

Don’t miss June 1 book signing: Elettra Marconi

Daughter of radio inventor

You’re invited to a reception and book signing with a fascinating woman—Elettra Marconi of Rome, Italy—daughter of one of the greatest inventors of our time. Guglielmo Marconi discovered the radio, among other things, and his pioneering research in the areas of radar and satellite technology is still used today.

Sponsored by Mary Liz Cortese, this unique opportunity will take place at Palermo Restaurant, 394 S. Second St. (at the corner of San Salvador) on Tuesday, June 1, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. Parking is plentiful on or across street.
“Growing up in Evergreen, I never had to look far for role models,” said Mary Liz Cortese. “Unlike most kids today, my heroes included people like ‘Red Lamantia,’ the Evergreen rancher whose height alone impressed a 6-year-old little girl selling sodas to workers in the orchards.

“Attending Silver Creek High School,” continued Cortese, “my idols were close at hand, like the great Olympic track athletes Millard Hampton and Andre Phillips. However, as soon as I began my radio broadcasting career, Guglielmo Marconi was one of the only people I ever paid homage to, other than my own grandfather, also an Italian immigrant who found success in America.”

Having had a long career in the radio industry, Cortese noted that becoming friends with Elettra Marconi, Guglielmo’s beloved daughter, was “either destiny, or really good luck.” To host her in San Jose and have the opportunity to present her book will be “a highlight of my life,” she added.

A suggested donation of $28 includes a signed, hardcover of Marconi’s book, “Marconi My Beloved,” but you aren’t required to purchase the book to attend. Space and books are somewhat limited, so please RSVP via e-mail to marylizcortese@earthlink.net or (408) 270-3880. No host refreshments.

East San Jose youth earn chance at private education

The first annual Hometown Heroes Scholarship Dinner, sponsored by San Jose City Councilmember Dave Cortese and the East Side Heroes organization, drew more than 500 people into the GI Forum on San Jose’s East Side to pay tribute to Father Martin Rock, a longtime contributor to the field of education.

The highlight of the April event, however, was watching 11-year-old Karen Ortiz walk onto the stage and smile proudly as she accepted a full tuition scholarship to Notre Dame High School. Ortiz, a resident of the Tropicana neighborhood, has distinguished herself at the Alum Rock schools she attended.

“There are many students like Karen Ortiz, who excel academically but lack the financial wherewithal to attend these kinds of schools,” said Cortese, who partnered with East Side Heroes to raise in excess of $75,000.

Ortiz earned a full tuition scholarship and the balance of the money was awarded to the youth program of Father Rock’s designation.

East Side Heroes formed in 2003 to promote minority opportunities at private college preparatory schools like Bellarmine and Notre Dame. ESH will continue its efforts in the hopes of sending more and more underprivileged youth to these types of schools.

Those interested in future sponsorship opportunities should contact Councilmember Cortese’s office at (408) 277-5242.

Saturday, June 19:
Book Sale and summer reading program kickoff

Don’t miss the huge book sale on the grounds of the Evergreen Branch Library, at Aborn Avenue and Kettman Avenue, Saturday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of the Evergreen Library, the book sale will have many offerings: hardcover books, paperbacks, coffee table books, videos, audio tapes and puzzles all covering a wide range of subjects.

At the same time, the teensReach group of volunteers will register the library’s younger patrons for the 8-week summer reading celebration, “Catch a Dragon by the Tale.” Last year, the program registered more than 2,000 children in Evergreen for this annual program.

If you’d like to volunteer for an hour or two, or donate books or bags, please call Liz Gill at (408) 243-4621 after 4 p.m.