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_For
all the contributions Ida made during her time, she was wholly under-appreciated,
particularly by those who ignorantly refused to accept the atrocities
against not only blacks, but other minorities and women as well. She was
fully valued only by the victims-those whom she defended-who endured the
day-today oppressions of society. As early as the later years of Ida's
life she was beginning to fade into the background, and was especially
an unknown figure to the new generation of youths. One day, for instance,
a young woman approached her, mentioning, during a gathering of the Young
Women's Christian Association, she had nominated Ida as one of the
premier figures of note in her society. Yet, she had done this spontaneously.
The woman asked blankly, "Mrs. Barnett, won't you please tell
me what it was you did, so the next time I am asked such a question I
can give an intelligent answer?" For a person who had done so much,
one can only imagine the incredulity Ida must have experienced at that
point. After her death, her memory seemed to wither away even more However,
as the decades passed, and blacks as a whole became more largely known
for their achievements, the recognition of Ida's memory began to blossom.
Starting in the 20th century, Ida once again became known to the general
public. *1941: In her own town of Chicago,
the Ida B. wells Housing Project was named for her. * 1950: Chicago once again sung
Ida's praises, calling her one of the most influential women in its
history. *1970: Perhaps the greatest tribute
to Ida would be her autobiography, Crusade for
Justice, in which she gave the
best possible testimony to her life. * 1974: Her home, on the Grand
Boulevard, was made a National landmark. *1979: In Dorothy Sterling's
Black Foremother: Three Lives, Ida, along with contemporary Mary
Church Terell and Ellen Craft, was compellingly portrayed. *1990: For the first time, Ida's
story was told not only in writing but with stunning visual aide in Public
Broadcasting Service's documentary: "Ida
B, Wells-Barnett: A Passion for Justice." *1990: The United States officially
recognized Ida's place in history when it designated a commemorative
stamp of her during Black History Month. *1995: A second personal tribute to Ida's life was published: The Memphis Diary of Ida B. Wells. Despite all of these honors, Ida's efforts can never fully be recompensed. Her greatest tribute wil be the legacy she has left behind to future generations, a legacy of inspiration and strength; to dream and then take action to make these dreams possible.
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Expanding Horizons: *You can buy, or read the first 21 pages of Ida's autobiograhy Crusade for Justice at Amazon.com.
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