Memorial

In Memoriam: Wilma Boddie-Beaman
1936-2001

Moving Beyond Racism, and all lovers of justice, lost a shining light on July 26, 2001.

Wife, mother, teacher, counselor, physical therapist, biochemist, social activist…. friend. Wilma’s life was filled with achievements and marked by accomplishments. She received awards for her work with the poor, for her efforts in peacemaking, and for her contributions in the struggle against racism. For Wilma, no barrier was impassible. At the age of five she chose to swim beneath the barbed wire barrier intended to restrict people of color from entering the whites only section of a public pool. That first plunge toward justice led to a lifelong effort to end oppression wherever she encountered it.

For those of us in Moving Beyond Racism, Wilma was a sage, a guide, and a mentor. Her compassion and courage were an example and an inspiration for us all. We miss her warmth, her wit, her wisdom. We miss Wilma.

The following song was written to honor Wilma’s memory.

If We Call You Sister

If we call you sister it’s because you are a part
Of everyone you touched and who touched you
If we call you sister it’s a calling of the heart
A simple recognition of the truth

It’s a rough and rocky road down here on earth
Filled with pitfalls that can lead a soul astray
But from time to time a light appears 
To guide us through our deepest fears 
A torch that glows and shows us all the way

If we call you sister it’s because you are a part
Of everyone you touched and who touched you
If we call you sister it’s a calling of the heart
A simple recognition of the truth

It’s a hard and heavy load we carry now
And the weary want to let that burden go
But despite the struggle of our years 
The pain – the loss- the taste of tears
We won’t give up on loving don’t you know
If we call you sister it’s because you are a part
Of everyone you touched and who touched you
If we call you sister it’s a calling of the heart
A simple recognition of the truth

Wisdom in the water
Healing in the air
Courage, faith and laughter
Gifts for us to share

If we call you sister it’s because you are a part
Of everyone you touched and who touched you
If we call you sister it’s a calling of the heart
A simple recognition of the truth
A simple recognition of the truth
A simple recognition of the truth

Lyrics copyright 2001 by Lou Sweigman

Coming soon

• You will be able to listen to the song performed primarily by Thomas Warfield and Arlette Miller Smith