The Dream Lives On

Book excerpt: Dorothy Word, an African American woman dreaming of a hopeful future for her people, advocated for African American scientists, athletes, inventors, and others often not recognized for their contributions. She writes not as noted scholar, politician, or journalist, but as a layperson from the back row of public visibility. As a retired teacher in several elementary schools she continued to lobby for children and their families. She was an activist passionately pursuing the dream for equity and justice for all. Her voice needs to be heard, and Jacob offers a perceptive framework for an intercultural understanding of her message. Dorothy first became acquainted with Jacob Elias and his wife Lillian in 2001 when they were pastors of her congregation, Parkview Mennonite Church, Kokomo, Indiana. Following her retirement Dorothy wrote newspaper columns for the Kokomo Tribune. Having served as her pastor for four years and ten years later exercising power of attorney for her as she receded into dementia, Jacob gathered forty-one of her articles into this volume.