By Hunter Jones

The Jackson County Voters League celebrated its 14th annual Martin Luther King, Jr./Coretta Scott King Memorial Day on Jan . 13 at the Scottsboro Recreation Center with the Master of Ceremony Dr. Herman Washington presiding the event, with Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy among those in attendance.

The event began with a prayer given by chaplain James Campbell, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance given by Jameson Allen before also singing the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, which was led by Mary Abernathy and Tiajuana Cotton.

The guest speaker for the event was Anita Weathers. Cotton, a teacher of Weathers, introduced her to the stage while informing the crowd of Weathers’ credentials, including over 20 years’ experience as a scientist, 15 years as a principal and many years as a minister and spiritual leader.

In her speech, Weathers focused on the importance of everyone to strive towards excellence. Weathers challenged those in attendance to evaluate their goals and accomplishments in life, reflecting on the accomplishments held by Dr. King during his life to help “make the world a better place.”

Weathers challenged the audience to narrow their focus on a dream that sees enjoyment from people’s equality, civil and economic rights, pointing to the famous “I Have a Dream” speech and telling those attending to follow that as well as staying true to their own goals.