Former Senator Hillary Clinton honored at Martin and Coretta King Unity Breakfast

Published 10:59 am Sunday, March 3, 2019

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton highlighted the Martin and Coretta King Unity Breakfast on Sunday at Wallace Community College-Selma.

Clinton received the 2019 International Unity Award and was inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame by former Senator Hank Sanders and his wife, Rose Sanders.

“Women have a hard time when they seek position of power and fight for women’s rights,” Hank Sanders said. “She had to fight to become a Senator and fight to become Secretary of State. If not for the FBI and the Russians, she’d President right now.”

Email newsletter signup

The capacity crowd in WCCS Gymnasium gave a thunderous standing ovation for Clinton, a former U.S. Presidential candidate in the Democrat party. The former First Lady connected the two honors.

“The two honors go hand in hand,” Clinton said. “The fight for Civil Rights, Women’s Rights and human Rights have been the driving force of my career. I’m humbled and honored to receive the award.”

Clinton didn’t announce her candidacy for President and spoke about the race.

“I am not the only woman running for President, we have enough women running to start a basketball team,” Clinton said.

Two other Presidential candidates attended the program: Senators Bernie Sanders, I-VT, and Cory Booker, D-NJ. Several people got close enough to take selfies with them. They departed soon after Clinton’s arrival.

“After 54 years since the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we’re still fighting for the right to vote,” Sanders said.

“We’re facing a moral obligation in Selma,” Booker said. “Too many people are dying of gun violence. I’m proud to be here and honor our history.”

The local officials all delivered powerful messages in the program presided by WCCS President Dr. James Mitchell.

Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma, urged politicians to help the Queen city overcome its issues in her remarks.

“It’s important to give back to Selma,” Sewell said. “We need your help, but we can’t do it by ourselves.”

Sen. Malika Sanders-Fortier, Sanders’ daughter, said in her remarks that it’s not about having power, it’s about sharing power.”

Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn thanked Dr. King and the Foot Soldiers for paving the way to his career in the welcome address. He’s also a former Dallas County Assistant District Attorney and Selma city Attorney.

“I wouldn’t be standing here as the first black probate judge in Dallas County if not for Dr. King and the Foot soldiers,” Nunn said. “When you cross the Edmund Pettus bridge, remember those who sacrificed their lives. “

Azali Fortier, Fortier’s 11-year-old daughter, challenged the adults to improve society by the time she’s an adult.

“We need to do something now, we can’t wait until later,” Azali Fortier said. “We can’t back down, we need everybody from big to small, nobody is too big, nobody is too small. It can’t just be black people, it can’t just be white people. It will take all of us.”

Famed gospel singer Dottie Peoples sang two powerful music selections.

Local officials who attended the unity breakfast were Selma City Councilwoman Susan Youngblood and Circuit Court Judges Collins A. Pettaway and Marvin Wiggins.