-Photos by Roy Nakano
By Susie H. Ling
Despite the thermometer sizzling at 107, a diverse crowd of 150 – and two horses – gathered at Monrovia Historical Museum on September 14th to commemorate Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth 100th anniversary. The New Buffalo Soldiers rode their steed down Lemon Avenue to begin the event. Representing the Wildcats, William Moore’s Camerata Singers sang the national anthem.
Ralph Walker, coordinator of the event, said, “This was a watershed moment in Monrovia. Allensworth encouraged our community to come together this day.” The crowd included Assemblymembers Chris Holden and Anthony Portantino, representative from Congressional Representative Napolitano, and all of Monrovia ‘s City Council. The crowd also included siblings Betty Fisher Thomas and Timothy Fisher, whose great grandfather came to Monrovia over 120 years ago. The crowd included 87-year young Jessica Valentine who was one of the first African American women to graduate from college after attending Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School. Jimmy Oballes and Sergio Jimenez of the Monrovia Latino Heritage Society were there. “But most importantly,” said Thomas Stratton, President of Friends of Allensworth, “There were children. Did you know Reverend Allensworth built a school before he built his church in Tulare County? Allensworth was self-taught but he valued education.” continued Stratton.
Members of the Bakersfield Chapter of Friends of Allensworth laughed good heartedly that Monrovia was hotter than the Central Valley this special day. Thankfully, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Monrovia Interfaith Council, and Museum volunteers donated plenty of ice and water bottles. Mark Still of the Monrovia Historical Museum said, “How can we complain? Allen Allensworth walked from the SPRR station to Monrovia 100 years ago today – perhaps in similar weather. Did he complain? His example continues to inspire us.” Professor Susie Ling, who teaches Asian American studies, concluded, “Allensworth, born in slavery, was an American visionary. He worked his whole life to improve racial equality in America. We have yet a lot to accomplish.”
