►
From YouTube: Dr. Kenneth Edelin Square Dedication Ceremony
Description
Mayor Walsh is joined by City Councilors Ayanna Pressley and Tito Jackson, as well as former Governor Deval Patrick, in honoring the great Dr. Kenneth C. Edelin's life and achievements with a square dedication in Downtown Boston.
Dr. Edelin was the first African-American to be Chief Resident of Obstetrics/Gynecology at Boston Medical Center. He was a relentless advocate for equal access to healthcare for all, particularly young women of color. He was a civil rights activist, a friend, a mentor, and a pioneer. The square in front of Boston Medical Center will serve to honor the great doctor's legacy. June 15th will also be Dr. Edelin day in the City of Boston.
A
A
Good
afternoon,
everyone
I'll
try
it
again,
but
thank
you
very
much
Joe
good
afternoon,
everyone
thank
you,
I'm
Reverend,
Liz
Walker
and
it's
my
honor
to
be
your
host
this
afternoon,
I'd
like
to
welcome
you
to
this
very
special
day.
The
dedication
of
this
very
special
space
in
the
memory
of
dr.
ken
eteland,
while
healing,
is
obviously
the
primary
focus
on
these
grounds.
We
all
know
that
a
Medical
Center
is
much
more
than
that.
There
is
an
energy,
a
spirit
to
this
place.
A
If
you
will
a
spirit
of
support,
encouragement,
reconciliation,
there
is
a
passion,
there's
determination,
there's
all
kinds
of
things.
There
is
mystery
here.
This
is
a
place
that
is
greater
than
the
sum
of
its
parts.
The
same
can
be
said
about
the
late
dr.
ken
Edelen,
as
we
sense
his
spirit
today
we
can
allow
our
hearts
to
be
proudly
and
we
can
allow
our
hearts
and
minds
to
expand.
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
D
C
D
A
Let
the
church
say
Amen
I
say
it
again:
amen.
As
I
mentioned,
Ken
Edelen
touched
countless
people
in
many
wonderful
ways.
We
have
invited
a
few
special
members
of
our
community
to
join
us
today.
They
will
speak
in
the
order
in
which
they
appear
in
the
program,
but
I'm
going
to
call
out
their
names
in
that
order.
Mayor,
Martin,
Walsh,
city
of
Boston
city,
councilor,
at-large,
a
Jana
Presley
Kate
Walsh,
the
president
and
CEO
of
Boston
Medical
Center,
dr.
E
Thank
you
very
much,
Reverend
Walker
and
chasing
you
unbelievable
hoodie
go
oh
yeah.
It
was
great.
He
can
sing.
Thank
you
for
that.
I.
Look
forward
to
hearing
you
next
song.
I
want
to
thank
Kate
Walsh
as
well
and
I
want
to
thank
you
in
here
from
Council
and
oppressing
in
a
few
minutes,
but
also
we're
joined
by
counselor,
niece
or
sabe
George
who's.
Here
with
us
city,
councilor,
Tito,
Jackson
who's
here
with
us
and
I,
think
I
didn't
see.
I
know
he
came
in
Governor
Patrick.
Where
are
you
ray
egg
and
Diane?
E
And
I
wonder
why
I'm
I
want
to
say
to
Barbara
thank
you
for
for
asking
me
to
be
part
of
today.
Barbara
everyone,
the
room
know,
pray
knows
Barbara.
She
was
always
taking
charge
and
she
was
exactly
telling
what
we're
doing
and
I'm
just
gonna
leave
it
at
that.
So
I
want
to
thank
you
for
that.
There's
no
messing
around
you're
like
an
Irish
mother,
you're,
just
putting
all
just
like
this
was
kind
of
a
banana
zone.
There's
no
debating
but
I
wanted
to
join.
You
join
everyone
today
to
remember
such
a
remarkable
man,
dr.
E
Kenneth
Edelen.
It
would
be
hard
to
overstate
his
mark.
He
made
on
the
city
of
Boston.
He
possessed
a
rare
combination
of
a
remarkable
talent
and
a
devotion
to
doing
the
right
thing.
He
broke
ground
for
african-american
physicians
in
our
city
and
it's
you
know.
We
can't
forget
somebody
like
that,
because
people
today
sometimes
think
it's
the
norm
was
always
this
way.
We
always
had
doctors
who
were
black
work
in
our
hospitals.
E
No,
it
wasn't
and
a
lot
of
people
laid
that
foundation
and
broke
that
ground,
and
certainly
the
doctor
was
one
of
those
he
fought
to
ensure
health
and
dignity
it
of
women
and
people
of
color.
He
insisted
that
unequal
access
to
health
care
can
be
seen
as
what
it
is
right.
Now.
It's
a
civil
right
issue
and
certainly
again
another
ahead
of
his
time.
None
of
doctor
Ellen's
journey
was
easy.
E
He
faced
challenges
every
single
step
of
the
way
because
of
the
color
of
his
skin,
because
in
his
beliefs
that
women
had
the
right
to
choose
and
because
he
was
a
vocal
advocate
about
the
role
of
race
and
gender
playing
access
to
health
care
through
it
all
dr.
Edelin
continued
to
care
for
the
people
of
Boston,
with
integrity
and
with
resolve,
and
for
that
we
will
always
be
grateful.
Doctor
even
story
lives
in
many
of
us
many
people
here
today.
Some
of
you
worked
alongside
him
at
Boston
City
Hospital.
E
Some
of
you
served
with
him
in
the
Air
Force,
and
some
of
you
were
his
students,
no
matter
what
the
connection
is.
Dr.
Elin,
we
can
all
honor
him
by
carrying
on
his
legacy
with
honor.
We
can
honor
him
by
continuing
to
fight
the
equal
access
to
health
care
by
treating
all
patients
with
respect
and
dignity
by
fighting
to
protect
choice,
by
insisting
that
we
make
women's
health
a
priority
right
now
in
Washington.
A
lot
of
this
is
people
are
trying
to
undo
so
much
of
the
progress
that
has
been
made
in
our
country.
E
We
will
honor
him
dr.
Gailen
by
fighting
harder
than
ever
to
ensure
that
quality
healthcare
for
women
and
people
of
color
will
remain.
We
will
honor
him
by
doing
the
right
thing,
especially
when
it
is
difficult
and
I'm
proud
to
say
that
we
will
honor
him
with
a
monument
to
his
memory.
This
square
close
to
the
hospital
where
dr.
Elam
saved
lives,
will
be
his
name
forever.
On
behalf
of
the
city
of
Boston,
it's
my
pleasure
to
officially
dedicate
what
will
known
as
the
dr.
Kenneth
Leland
square
I
want
to.
F
Good
afternoon
I
had
the
honor
of
meeting
dr.
Edelen
briefly
when
he
was
honored
by
mayor
al
pro-choice,
Massachusetts
in
2008.
Unfortunately,
I
never
had
the
privilege
and
honor
of
working
with
dr.
Edelen.
However,
as
the
first
woman
of
color
elected
to
the
Boston
City
Council
in
my
role
as
chair
of
the
City
Council's
Committee
on
healthy
women,
families
and
communities
as
a
champion
for
girls
and
women
and
equitable
access
to
health
care,
I
felt
an
immediate
kinship
with
dr.
Edelen.
Dr.
F
Edelen
was
a
compassionate
unrelenting
advocate
for
equitable
health
care
for
low-income
women
and
girls,
including,
and
especially,
ensuring
their
right
to
agency
over
their
own
bodies.
Now
these
are
values
and
policy
opinion
shared
by
many
now,
but
then,
but
then
to
take
these
stances
and
to
do
so
with
boldly,
as
he
did
risking
his
reputation
and
very
security
is
nothing
less
than
heroic
in
2008
at
the
mayoral
pro-choice
Massachusetts
event,
where
I
first
met
dr.
Edelen
and
heard
his
story,
I
must
admit.
Considering
myself
to
be
a
well-read
and
learned
person,
I
was
embarrassed.
F
I
felt
surprised
that
I
was
unaware
of
his
contributions.
It
is
why,
when
the
wily
family
and
mrs.
Edelen
first
contacted
me,
I
was
both
humbled
and
emboldened
to
ensure
that
dr.
Edelin
would
be
visibly
recognized
and
permanently
honored.
It
is
my
hope,
my
hope
and
prayer
when
people
pass
through
this
square.
If
they
don't
already
know
the
extraordinary
man
for
whom
this
square
is
named,
they'll
seek
to
learn
about
him.
We
so
often
spent
our
time
studying
our
nation's
historical
greats
that
we
overlook
the
she
rose
and
arose
in
our
own
backyard.
F
This
square
reminds
us
that
history
is
not
static.
It
is
dynamic
and
is
in
reach
to
us
all.
Dr.
Edelen
is
a
local
hero.
His
story
is
an
important
one.
A
remarkable
and
inspirational
one
I
want
our
residents,
our
health
care
providers,
our
girls
and
women,
our
young
people
of
color,
to
know
his
story
to
see
what
is
possible
and
to
be
inspired
to
continue.
His
advocacy
in
closing
I
want
to
thank
dr.
F
edelen's,
former
BU
School
of
Medicine
colleagues,
his
former
employer
Boston
Medical
Center,
the
Worcester
Square
Neighborhood
Association,
the
many
medical
students,
South
and
residents
health
care
advocates,
elected
officials
and
dignitaries,
Duvall
and
Diane
Patrick
mo
Cowan
and
many
more
and,
of
course,
my
links
incorporated
sorority
sisters.
I
also
want
to
thank
my
chief
of
staff,
Jessica
toggler
for
the
many
hours
of
sweat
equity.
She
dedicated
working
with
city
agencies
for
the
last
10
months
to
see
mrs.
edelen's
vision,
realized.
F
And
most
of
all,
most
of
all
I
want
to
thank
Barbara
Edelen.
Although
dr.
edelen's,
political
and
professional
contributions
are
an
inspiration,
Barbara
you're
in
Kim's,
marital
Union
is
not
to
be
left
out
in
this
inspirational
formula.
You
are
a
loyal
partner,
then
and
remained
so
today.
Your
love
is
both
timeless
and
transcendent.
Love
is
a
verb,
and
you
have
certainly
actualized
it
today,
and
it
is
nothing
short
of
glorious
to
bear
witness
to.
F
So
on
behalf
of
myself,
councillor
Jackson,
a
longtime
friend
of
the
family,
our
colleague
Anita
sabe
Jorge,
who
joins
us
I,
just
want
to
read
a
city
council
citation.
Why
don't
you
all
join
me
up
here
for
the
photo-op
plus
I'm
emotional
I
might
need
help
with
these,
where,
as
is
okay,
alright,
so,
whereas
in
1973,
dr.
Kenneth
Edelen
became
the
first
african-american
to
become
chief
resident
in
the
Department
of
obstetric
obstetrics
and
gynecology
at
Boston
City
Hospital.
F
For
more
than
a
decade,
he
served
as
chairman
of
the
department
at
the
Boston
University
School
of
Medicine,
and
whereas,
as
chief
resident
and
following
the
1973
landmark
Roe
versus
Wade
Supreme
Court
decision,
he
was
convicted
of
manslaughter
for
the
death
of
a
fetus
from
a
legal
and
safe
abortion
which
sparked
a
local
and
national
debate
about
a
woman's
right
to
choose
and
access
the
health
care
for
low
income
and
women
of
color.
He
was
eventually
exonerated
by
the
Supreme
Judicial
Court
of
Massachusetts
and
whereas
sorry
and
whereas.
G
G
He
was
a
compassionate
and
unread
unrelenting
advocate
for
equitable
health
care
for
low-income
women
and
girls,
ensuring
their
right
to
agency
over
their
own
bodies
and
we're
I'm.
Sorry,
I
messed
that
one
up
I'm,
sorry
about
that.
Okay,
dr.
Elam
contributions,
an
impact
on
this
city
and
this
nation
are
simply
too
great
and
numerous
to
list.
He
is
a
local
hero.
A
remarkable
and
inspirational
historical
figure
in
the
city
of
Boston,
therefore,
be
it
resolved
that
the
Boston
City
Council
in
meeting
assembled
honors,
dr.
G
Kenneth
Edelen
for
his
numerous
contributions
to
women's
health,
reproductive
health
care
access
and
the
City
of
Boston
and
be
it
further
resolved
that
the
Boston
City
Council
declares
June
15th
June
15th
June
15th
2017
as
dr.
Kenneth
Edelen
day
in
the
city
of
Boston,
and
that
this
revolute
atlet's
resolution
be
duly
signed
by
the
president
of
the
city.
I
I'm
reminded
of
a
famous
quote
from
Russell
on
everything's
been
said,
but
not
everyone
has
said
it
so
I
hope
you
will
bear
with
me
and
allow
me
to
okay,
okay,
so
buckle
up
anyway.
I
really
want
to
thank
you,
mayor,
Walsh,
councilor,
Pressley,
Reverend,
Walker,
dr.
Charles,
child's
Rorschach
and,
of
course,
the
indomitable
Barbara
Ellen
welcome
everyone
to
Boston
Medical
Center.
We
here
at
BMC
are
so
proud
of
this
very
fitting
honor
to
dr.
kay
Nederland.
I
Nothing
could
make
us
happier
to
have
his
legacy
permanently
and
prominently
marked
just
steps
from
our
campus
in
the
center
of
our
city.
I
didn't
have
the
good
fortune
to
know
dr.
Elam,
but
you
don't
have
to
be
a
BMC
long
to
know
that
he
is
a
legend
on
this
campus
and
his
commitments
to
women's
rights
in
diversity
and
opportunity
for
all
made
him
a
national
and
international
leader
for
all
that
well-deserved
acclaim.
Dr.
Elam
was
first
and
foremost
a
physician.
He
knew
very
early
on
that.
I
He
wanted
to
be
a
doctor,
specifically
a
woman's
doctor
ever
since
he
was
just
11
years
old
and
lost
his
mom
to
breast
cancer,
not
easy.
He
fulfilled
that
dream
and
then
some
by
becoming
the
first
african-american
to
be
the
chief
resident
in
the
history
of
the
ob/gyn
department
of
what
was
then
Boston
City
Hospital,
not
easy
early
in
his
career
in
1974.
I
Just
15
months
after
the
roe
v--
wade
decision
doctor
even
was
charged
and
convicted
of
manslaughter
slaughter
for
performing
a
safe
and
legal
medical
procedure,
an
abortion,
his
conviction
was
ultimately
overturned
and
that
cemented
his
lifetime
devotion
to
legal,
social
and
healthcare
justice
by
1979,
dr.
Ellen
had
been
named.
The
head
of
the
ob/gyn
department
at
Boston,
City
Hospital
opposed
he
would
hold
for
a
decade.
I've
only
been
here
seven
years.
That's
not
easy
as
chair.
I
If
he
was
well
known
for
his
leadership
on
major
issues
affecting
the
patient's,
he
cared
for
high-risk
pregnancies,
substance
use,
disorder
in
from
mortality
and
aids-related
pregnancies.
He
championed
people
who
did
not
have
many
champions
and
made
a
difference
in
countless
lives.
After
stepping
down
as
chair
of
the
department,
he
became
the
associate
dean
for
student
and
Minority
Affairs
at
the
BU
School
of
Medicine
and
later
the
director
of
the
early
medical
school
selection
program.
I
Throughout
his
life,
Kenny
de
lijn
was
a
prominent
voice
in
it
and
then
a
prominent
voice,
an
effective
local,
national
and
international
leader.
Far
away
from
the
stage,
though,
the
role
he
played
here
on
this
campus
was
just
as
important.
He
was
a
caring
and
compassionate
physician
to
thousands
of
patients
and
Families.
Many
of
you
know
the
mission
of
Boston
Medical
Center,
exceptional
care,
without
exception,
I,
really
can't
think
of
anybody
who
embodies
that
mission
more
than
dr.
ken
Edelen.
I
J
Good
afternoon,
so,
thank
you.
Reverend
Walker
I
need
those
Ayanna
Presley
heels.
Oh
there
we
go.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
all
right,
Thank,
You,
Reverend,
Walker,
mayor
Marty,
Walsh,
Boston
city,
councilor,
at-large,
Ayanna,
Presley
and
Kate
Walsh
for
your
powerful
words
and
thank
you,
mrs.
Edlin,
for
the
honor
of
being
able
to
be
here
today
to
talk
about
your
husband,
I'm,
so
proud
to
be
here
on
this
special
day
to
honor,
dr.
J
Ellen
and
his
inspiring
work
as
a
health
care
professional
who
served
thousands
of
patients
and
a
courageous
leader
in
the
political
debate
surrounding
reproductive
rights.
Dr.
Ellen
devoted
his
life
to
keeping
women
safe
and
healthy.
Dr.
Eden's
work
and
strongly
held
convictions
helped
lay
the
foundation
that
has
made
much
of
Planned
Parenthood's
work
possible
today
among
his
many
accomplishments,
dr.
J
Everyone
working
to
protect
women's
health
today
knows
that
we
stand
on
the
shoulders
of
the
Giants
who
have
come
before
us.
Dr.
Ellen
is
one
of
those
people
whose
shoulders
have
supported
so
many
of
us,
including
myself.
Almost
two
years
ago,
when
I
broke
the
news
to
one
of
my
favorite
patients
and
yes,
we
all
have
favorites
that
I
would
be
leaving
Harvard
Vanguard
in
my
practice
to
become
president
of
ppl
M.
She
encouraged
me
to
read
dr.
Ellen's
memoir
and
actually
brought
it
to
me
herself
reading
about
his
unwavering
commitment
to
care.
J
Despite
the
adversity,
he
faced
reaffirm
my
own
decision
to
lead
Planned
Parenthood
doctor,
even
understood
that
women
deserve
a
right
to
privacy
and
a
right
to
make
their
own
decisions
about
their
bodies.
He
committed
his
career
to
health
care,
justice,
civil
rights
and
ensuring
that
all
women,
especially
women
of
color
and
low-income
women,
had
equitable
access
to
care.
The
location
of
this
Memorial
square
is
fitting
as
it
symbolizes
the
figurative
path
doctor
even
chose
to
walk
in
life
and
crosses
a
literal
path.
Women
travel
to
receive
compassionate
care
from
him.
We
must
honor
dr.
J
Edith
legacy
and
his
groundbreaking
advocacy
by
pushing
our
movement
forward
now
more
than
ever,
given
today's
political
environment
and
the
endless
attacks
on
safe
legal
abortion
and
women's
access
to
preventive
care
like
birth
control
and
scans
cancer
screenings.
Today,
let's
honor
dr.
Ellen
for
his
tremendous
contribution
to
women's
health
by
dedicating
this
Memorial
Square
in
his
name
tomorrow.
Let's
honor
dr.
Eden,
by
never
compromising
on
a
future
where
every
woman
has
the
ability
to
make
her
own
health
care
decisions.
H
Today
is
a
gorgeous
day
in
June
3
and
a
half
years
later,
and
we're
here
for
a
joyous
occasion
and
I'm,
so
grateful
we've
gotten
to
this
day.
In
this
moment,
mayor
Walsh,
councilor
Pressley,
president
Walsh,
dr.
Charles
rush
top
Reverend
Walker.
Thank
you
for
being
a
part
of
this
program
from
making
this
day
a
priority
on
your
calendars
and
for
agreeing
to
speak
and
pay
tribute
to
my
husband
today,
I'm
humbled
that
each
of
you
agreed
to
speak
with
no
hesitation.
All
your
remarks
and
remembrances
captured
his
memory
beautifully.
H
H
H
Thanks
to
you,
Jason
shorter,
for
lending
your
beautiful
voice
to
this
celebration,
you
have
a
very
special
talent
and
I
wish
you
much
continued
success.
Jason
was
introduced
to
me
by
my
daughter,
Corrine,
who
said
mom.
We
have
to
start
using
Jason
for
someone
who
are
at
best
if
he
has
a
great
voice
and
she
was
right.
So
thank
you
for
it.
H
I
also
want
to
acknowledge
our
former
governor
and
first
lady
Duvall
and
Diane
Patrick
and
I
had
seats
somewhere
for
you
guys,
I,
don't
know
we
have
an
overflow
but
I'm,
so
happy
you're
here
and
Ken
would
be
overwhelmed
by
your
present.
He
loved
you
both
very
much
in
Duvall.
You
know
he
was
very
fond
of
you
from
the
days
of
early
days
of
LDF,
so
your
being
here
is
very,
very
special.
Thank
you.
Can
we
acknowledge
our
former
governor
first
lady.
H
Thank
you
for
being
here
in
the
middle
of
a
workday
to
have
this
special
day
an
occasion
with
the
Edelen
family
in
the
city
of
Boston,
I'd
like
to
pause
and
introduce
my
family.
Some
have
traveled
a
good
distance
to
be
here
with
us.
This
is
very
special
for
all
of
them
and
for
me
and
I'm
grateful
for
their
presence,
love
and
support.
H
H
H
H
H
Didn't
know
what
everyone
was
going
to
say.
So
there
is
some
repetition,
but
I
think
it's
all
important,
so
I'm
going
to
take
a
few
moments,
because
this
day
didn't
just
happen.
It
happened
because
many
people
were
involved
cared
about
this
project
and
made
it
a
commitment.
I
have
many
people
to
thank
for
this
wonderful
tribute
and
I
will,
but
for
me,
I
must
start
with
the
person
we
honor
today,
my
husband
of
35
years,
dr.
H
Kenneth,
C
Edelen,
gave
us
a
reason
to
honor
him
because
of
the
kind
of
life
he
led:
a
principled
life,
a
life
of
integrity,
the
kind
of
person
he
was
compassionate
about
his
work
and
his
mission
to
serve
others
and
the
dedicated
doctor.
He
always
knew
he
wanted
to
be
how
many
of
us
knew
at
age
11
what
we
wanted
to
do
with
our
lives
and
then
went
on
to
do
it
and
do
it
well.
H
H
He
was
convinced
his
mother
had
never
received
proper
care,
not
only
because
they
were
poor,
but
as
a
black
family
in
the
1940s
they
did
not
have
access
to
the
medical
care
she
needed
to
survive,
so
he
was
determined
to
help
other
women,
especially
poor
women,
of
color,
get
access
to
quality
health
care
and
he
did
as
Reverend
Liz
said
in
her
eulogy
at
Ken's
memorial
service
at
cold
January
day.
One
14
Ken
Edelen
led
a
life
of
purpose,
and
she
mentioned
it
again
today.
H
He
was
an
example
to
all
of
us.
What
impact
such
a
life
can
have
on
others.
Ken
came
to
Boston
in
1971
as
a
young
32
year
old,
first-year
resident
to
do
his
specialty
training
in
obstetrics
and
gynecology.
Having
just
completed
a
tour
of
duty
in
the
Air
Force,
rising
to
the
rank
of
captains
at
City
Hospital.
He
worked
hard
and
became
the
first
african-american
chief
resident
of
OBGYN
in
the
history
of
the
department.
H
City
Hospital
in
the
early
1980s
was
the
hospital
of
last
resort
for
many
patients
who
came
there
had
no
insurance,
often
no
family
member,
a
friend,
was
available
to
come
and
sit
with
them
to
see
the
doctor
or
sit
in
the
emergency
room
for
hours,
and
there
were
language
barriers
without
the
interpreters.
We
have
readily
available
today
to
assist
patients
in
understanding
their
treatment
plans
during
this
time,
as
a
resident
can
rotate
it
to
work
at
many
of
the
city's
community
health
centers.
H
To
help
these
women
rocks
comp,
Harvard,
Street,
Whittier,
Mattapan
and
others
taking
care
of
hundreds
of
poor
women
and
girls
from
the
Roxbury
Dorchester
communities
of
Boston
making
sure
that,
even
though
they
had
limited
resources,
they
would
be
respected
and
given
the
medical
care
he
could
offer
in
1976
ken
became
chief
of
the
department
and
chair
at
BU
School
of
Medicine.
He
initiated
many
new
programs
to
help
patients
with
complicated
or
difficult
pregnancies.
H
Many
but
three
examples
are
establishing
the
first
method
of
the
first
methadone
program
for
opiate
addicted
pregnant
women,
establishing
the
first
ambulatory
surgical
program
at
City
Hospital,
and
he
started
something
as
simple
as
a
patient
care
fund
money
to
be
used
for
personal
items
like
deodorant
and
toothpaste,
items
that
are
readily
available
at
hospitals
today,
but
not
for
patients
in
the
1980s
at
City
Hospital
in
1989.
He
stepped
down
as
chief
and
became
associate
dean
of
Minority
Affairs
and
director
of
the
early
medical
school
selection
program
at
BU,
School
of
Medicine,
known
as
EMS
SP.
H
This
unique
six
year
program
is
designed
to
bring
increased
diversity
to
the
physician
work
for
force,
an
effort
essential
to
improving
quality
and
equity
in
healthcare.
Students
in
this
program
come
from
historically
black
colleges,
universities
of
the
Caribbean
and
the
Pacific
Islands.
This
program
meant
the
world
to
Kent.
He
taught
and
mentored
hundreds
of
young
doctors
of
color
to
help
them
complete
medical
school
with
the
skills
needed
to
return
to
their
underserved
and
poor
communities,
and
that's
what
they
do.
They
don't
always
stay
here.
They
go
back
to
Mississippi.
They
go
back
to
Virginia.
H
They
go
back
to
Georgia
and
that's
where
they
were
trained
here
with
the
skills
they
need
to
go
back
to
health
communities,
that
don't
have
doctors
and
that's
what's
important.
For
over
15
years,
Ken
and
I
hosted
each
new
class
of
these
young
students
in
our
home
for
dinners
pizza.
Nice
records
some
for
Thanksgiving
those
that
couldn't
go
home
to
the
Virgin
Islands.
We
come
to
our
house
for
dinner
and
often
just
to
come
watch
TV
with
our
children,
away
from
the
dorm
and
the
stress
of
medical
school.
H
H
H
My
answer
is
simple:
it's
important
to
remember
that
Ken
was
at
work
during
his
doing
his
job
in
the
hospital
that
day
in
October
in
1973,
when
a
young
scared
17
year
old
girl
came
in
with
her
mother
seeking
medical
help
for
pregnancy.
She
didn't
want
and
was
afraid
of,
the
consequences
of
her
abusive
father.
Where
he'd
hurt
it.
He
to
discover
her
condition.
Ken
was
only
one
of
two
physicians
who
would
perform
abortions
at
City
at
that
time,
so
they
called
him.
H
He
believed
that,
as
a
doctor,
it
was
his
duty
to
provide
comprehensive
medical
care
to
any
patient
which
included
abortion.
If
indicated,
he
was
quoted
in
the
New
York
Times
after
his
trial
was
saying
nobody
likes
to
do
abortions,
but
the
least
we
can
do
is
to
make
it
safe
and
humane
for
him.
That
was
what
mattered
he
didn't
seek
to
make
a
political
point,
but,
as
you
know,
the
trial
changed
his
life
forever.
H
No
question
if
he
was
still
with
us,
he'd
be
marching
on
the
frontlines
ken
cared
deeply
for
his
patients
and
his
students,
but
he
also
taught
me
and
our
children
the
importance
of
being
a
truthful,
giving
person
dedicated
to
your
craft,
but
loving
and
caring
for
others
in
the
process
of
practicing.
Whatever
you
choose
to
do
so,
dear
friends,
this
life,
this
great
man,
this
african-american
heroes,
is
why
we
are
here
today.
H
This
project
started,
as
I
indicated,
almost
of
a
way
for
me
to
move
through
my
grief.
I
was
determined
to
find
a
path,
a
way
to
have
a
permanent
marker
of
Ken's
life
and
contributions.
So
where
did
I
start
well
after
I
told
Joseph
and
Corrine
I
was
on
a
mission,
I
started
where
I
always
do
when
I
need
counsel
and
advice.
I
started
with
my
girlfriend's.
This
chain
of
events
took
over
a
year,
but
I'll
outline
it
quickly.
H
So
we
can
go,
have
some
refreshments
and
so
but
I
want
you
to
see
the
importance
of
friendship
and
relationships.
I
started
in
the
fall
of
2015,
with
my
dear
friend,
Debbie
Jackson
who's
in
London
today,
with
her
sister
and
her
niece
she's
moving
her
into
a
program
for
the
summer,
and
she
just
had
to
go,
and
so
she
sorry
she's,
not
here
but
Dwayne's.
Here
we
spoke
several
times
and
talked
about
many
possible
options.
H
A
health
center
park
lots
of
ideas
and
we
just
kind
of
kept
it
out
there
and
I
said
well,
we'll
figure
it
out
and
then
I
called
another
friend
Vani
Wally,
who
said
she
knew
a
woman
in
Newton
who
had
named
a
street
sign
after
her
deceased
son
recently
and
she'd
get
me
the
information,
but
during
Thanksgiving
weekend
of
1920
2015
sorry
Benny
mentioned
my
quest
to
her
family
and
her
son.
Pratt
said:
oh,
we
must
make
this
happen
for
uncle
Ken.
His
family
I'll.
H
Take
this
on
and
promise
we'll
get
to
my
friends,
city,
councilor,
at-large
and
Jana
Presley
Pratt
contacted
councilor
Pressley
and
she
said
absolutely
so.
Let
me
stop
here
and
say
a
special
thank
you
to
Debbie
and
Benny.
Neither
of
who
are
able
to
be
here
but
Pratt
is
here
from
Washington
DC.
So
I
want
to
thank
you.
Pratt
I.
H
Want
to
thank
you
for
your
support
at
the
very
beginning
of
this
process
in
2015
and
pushing
me
forward
to
get
to
today.
Thank
you,
I
love.
You
next
councilor
Pressley
assembled
a
meeting
in
June
of
2016
with
her
chief
of
staff,
the
chief
of
city
streets
of
representative
from
the
office
of
women's
advancement,
office
of
neighborhood
services
and
chief
engineer
from
public
Improvement.
Commission
I
was
along
the
way.
This
was
the
meeting
where
the
square
option
was
explained
to
me.
So
I
asked,
as
have
many
of
you.
What
is
a
square.
H
Well,
it's
the
actual
point
where
two
streets
intersect:
it's
not
where
we
are
sitting
right
now.
Folks
I
said:
hey,
that's
better
than
a
street
sign
and
we
were
off
and
running.
The
group
assembled
knew
that
the
area
around
City
Hospital
was
my
preference
and
quickly
identified.
Harrison
Avenue
and
Worcester
Square
is
available
for
square
designation,
so
I
just
want
to
stop
and
let
you
know
that
Harrison
Avenue
is
right.
There
Worcester,
Square
intersects
with
it.
H
H
So
we
all
agreed
this
site
was
perfect.
The
first
perfect
option
for
Ken's
tribute,
but
then
I
learned
about
the
petition
process
to
obtain
approval
with
the
mayor
for
the
square
I
would
be
required
to
attend
two
hearings
before
the
public
Improvement
Commission
of
the
city.
The
first
hearing
I
would
present
my
case
why
doctor
Edelen
should
receive
a
square
designation
and
then
I
would
return.
Ten
days
later,
with
the
petition
of
signatures
from
residents
in
the
South
End
and
other
Boston
community,
showing
wise
spreads
support
for
my
request
and
so
I
left.
H
The
meeting
encouraged
excited
and
a
little
scared
where
in
the
world
would
I
get
enough
signatures
to
satisfy
the
commissioners.
No
exact
number
was
required,
but
widespread
support
was
expected.
Ken
and
I
had
been
gone
from
Boston
for
ten
years.
What
would
I
do
now
call
another
friend
I
contacted
Reverend,
Liz
Walker,
because
this
is
her
community
and
I
said:
Liz
I
need
help.
Where
am
I
going
to
get
enough
signatures
in
time.
For
my
hearing
with
commissioners,
I,
don't
know
enough,
people
and
I've
been
gone
too
long.
Reverend
Liz
was
clear.
H
H
He
didn't
know
me
and
only
knew
of
my
husband,
but
because
of
his
pastor,
Reverend
Liz.
He
was
willing
to
help
with
ten
days
to
go
to
gather
signatures.
Aaron
made
copies
and
engaged
other
soldiers,
including
Tracy,
look
at
who's
here
and
together.
They
worked
the
South,
End,
Roxbury
and
Dorchester
over
to
rainy
weekends
in
October
and
gathered
hundreds
of
signatures
on
Maya
have
so
thank
you,
Rob
and
Liz,
and
Aaron
and
Tracy
wave.
H
You
guys
were
phenomenal.
My
next
special
thanks
has
to
go
to
councillor
Presley,
who
gave
me
the
full
support
of
her
office
staff
over
the
summer
and
fall
of
2016.
I
cannot
tell
you
the
time
spent
the
emails,
the
phone
calls
we
came
out
and
had
site
visits
and
the
patience
practiced
by
her
staff
to
guide
me
through
the
dedication
process.
There
is
no
way
that
I
would
have
completed
the
petition
process
or
even
understood
it
had
it
not
been
for
a
Yanis
chief
of
staff.
H
She
is
a
superstar
and
a
very
special
giving
person.
Thank
You
Jessica
additionally
am
recording
chief
engineer
from
the
public,
Improvement
Commission
I
think
Amy's.
Here
there
she
is.
Thank
you.
Amy
was
a
valuable
resource
regarding
the
hearing
process.
She
told
me
you'll,
be
okay,
just
go
and
talk
about
your
husband.
Don't
worry,
she
had
me,
understand
the
sign
dimensions
and
how
it
was
going
to
go
up
on
the
pole
and
everything.
H
So
I
wanted
to
acknowledge
you
Amy.
So
thank
you.
The
Worcester
square,
Neighborhood
Association
lended
their
support
early
on
and
I
want
to
thank
them
for
allowing
me
to
speak
about
Kenneth
their
monthly
meeting
on
very
short
notice
when
they
had
a
very
full
agenda
of
other
important
neighborhood
business.
So
I
know
some
of
them
are
here:
Thank
You,
Worcester,
Square,
neighborhood,
Assessors,.
H
Thank
you,
Sam
chambers,
the
mayor's
liaison
for
the
South
End
for
his
support
and
counsel
and
scheduling
this
event
on
your
calendar
back
in
February.
Okay,
thank
you
to
Stanley
Roberts,
my
graphics
designer
who
worked
with
me
for
months
on
creating
signs
and
to
Ken
Barrett
and
Tim
Seberg
from
BG
events
for
their
event,
setup
an
expertise
today
now
I'm
used
to
doing
other
people's
events,
but
I
had
to
call
them
resources
for
this
one.
H
Finally,
to
all
of
you
who
signed
the
petition,
forwarded
it
and
asked
70
members
and
even
strangers
to
sign
so
on,
October
20th
I
went
back
before
the
commissioners,
the
public
Improvement
Commission.
Along
with
again
my
friends,
Benny
and
flash
Wylie
and
flash
gave
rousing
remarks
to
the
commissioners.
Thank
You
class
I
asked
for
their
approval
and
I
gave
them
1000
names
and
signatures.
H
E
Let
me
see
how
far
I
just
want
to
read.
What's
on
the
on
the
on
the
plaque
in
loving
memory
and
recognition
of
a
tireless
advocate
for
legal,
social
and
health
care,
justice
for
those
often
forgotten
who
lacked
access
to
equal
opportunity,
a
trailblazer
in
the
battle
for
the
rights
to
privacy
in
choice,
a
teacher
and
mentor
to
hundreds
of
medical
students,
an
african-american
physician
who
loved
this
community
and
walked
this
path
every
day
for
40
years
to
serve
the
women
and
girls
of
Bronston.
B
B
B
B
B
D
A
Thank
you,
Jason.
The
family
invites
you
to
join
them
in
a
reception
next
door
at
the
Carter
Center
building
and
I
was
thinking
as
I
was
watching.
The
people
behind
the
speakers
about
10
spirit
still
being
here
and
in
people
who
don't
have
access
are
still
coming
here
and
and
being
served,
and
it's
an
interesting
thing
about
the
blessing
of
Spirit.
It's
not
just
something
that
will
comfort
you
in
memory.