“What kind of woman stays in the background and does the work, is the backbone and doesn’t need the glory? There is nothing small about Lillian Estelle Smith Gregory. You don’t need but 1.”. Today, Obama was able to get ellected as a president because a bunch of Black men weren't afraid to cross Edmund Pettus Bridge. When she was given permission to leave because of who she was, she refused and remained behind bars for two weeks, supporting the cause of the women she felt might find themselves jobless once released. The kind of woman I aspire to be.”, In a tribute to his wife, published in the program, Dick Gregory said, “And to the folks out there whose whole lives were filled with hatred and bigotry, y’all needed a Lillian. In early phase of Dick's career, he was a struggling black performing artist with a handful of shows. But, Lil stood her grounds and stayed in the jail to ensure all her companions' jobs were secured up until they got out of the Jail, despite she was 8 months stagnant with her twin daughters Pamela Paula. When he was arrested, she often was arrested, too. She is quiet and demure in stature, but she’s a “superwoman,” according to her 10 children whom she raised with her husband, the late and renowned comedian, civil and human rights activist and health advocate Dick Gregory… Lillian Eugenia Smith (December 12, 1897 – September 28, 1966) was a writer and social critic of the Southern United States, known most prominently for her best-selling novel Strange Fruit (1944). The world would be better off if they had a Lillian. “I look back on my life and think, this little black girl from this little town of Willard, Ohio, coming to Chicago by happenstance and things just happened,” Gregory said in an interview with The Washington Informer. Learn how your comment data is processed. Lillian Gregory + Add or change photo on IMDbPro » Lillian Gregory was born as Lillian Smith. Your email address will not be published. Sign me up! As Lillian Gregory never demanded a divorce despite her husband was rarely around, her husband also didn't take his better half for granted. What kind of woman? I can only say it was God’s plan and I had a wonderful life.”. Lillian Gregory's accomplishments are usually over shadowed by what her husband accomplished! His rep confirmed his death. She was accompanied by her children to the function and shared her feelings thankfully, after receiving the award. A donation of your choice empowers our journalists to continue the work to better inform, educate and empower you through technology and resources that you use. She was previously married to Dick Gregory. This statement shows that Lillian held a special place in Dick's life, which is why they were able to spend 58 years in marriage until death separated Dick and Miss Lil. Her husband was in addition to the previously mentioned an entrepreneur, writer, and actor who sadly died on August 19, 2016, at the age of 84, of heart failure. (You can unsubscribe anytime), [awesome-weather location="Washington, DC USA" units="F" owm_city_id="4140963" size="wide" forecast_days="3" hide_stats="0" background_by_weather="1" text_color="#fff"], Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker, Lillian Gregory Honored for Extraordinary Journey. She was independent and free thinker from her early days and carried her own weight from a very young age as well. She and Dick Gregory met in an African night club in Chicago and started dating. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from The Washington Informer. Lillian Gregory is also a warrior, she walked the bridge alongside her husband Dick Gregory, when he crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge with Martin Luther King jr. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. There is nothing small about Lillian Estelle Smith Gregory. History Should Never Forget the Contributions of Suffragist Irene Moorman Blackstone, Rev. Lillian Gregory put the stepping stone to build a strong family, raise 10 healthy and socially respected children. So, can we call America post-racial now? August 19, 2017 by Daily Entertainer Leave a Comment. Gregory married Lillian Smith in 1959. According to I Love Old School Music, Lillian became pregnant while they were dating, and Gregory’s mother insisted they marry: “No … He’s my man, and I respect him, but I’ve got far more respect for you right now for what you had to do. She grew along with 7 sisters and 7 brothers. She has recalled, whenever her husband would have to attend a social gathering or would be behind the bars, she would replace her husband's slot and did stand-up gigs in absence of her husband. You can also subscribe without commenting. Happy birthday, and raise a little hell while you’re at it.”. Back then, her husband had a low income and was a politically charged activist, to make things even worst, Lillian lost her first baby born son, which deeply shook her. It is a life her children believe is worthy of the world knowing. She was born in Willard, Ohio, as the youngest of 14 children. Few in the auditorium filled with friends and admirers of Dick Gregory knew Lillian’s story — about where she came from in Willard, Ohio, and that she was the youngest of 14 children — seven girls and seven boys. Back then, she got pregnant with her first baby Richard Gregory Jr, and as Dick was a strong committed African man, he desided to get married to Lillian and started family a family in Chicago. Great things demand great sacrifice, yes it was very hard life she led, she raised her kids singlehandedly, as her husband was always on the road doing comedy, getting arrested or busy planing a post-racial America. Meet Lillian Gregory – Late Dick Gregory’s Wife Of 58 Years. As she was no less of a freedom fighter compared to her husband, she was honored a year after her husband's death for her contributions to the change, the nation had seen. You don’t need but 1.”, Supporters of the event presented Gregory with a financial love offering to help her with expenses she was left with after her husband’s death. I appreciate all of you who are here. Her daughter, artist, educator and activist Ayanna Gregory, and her brother, Johance Maqubela, were among all 10 children, grandchildren and a host of relatives who poured accolades on the matriarch who turned 81 on Nov. 24. But, he succedeed to secure equal civil rights for a black man in America. Your email address will not be published. “I decided it was more important to stay with them.”. And in the end, she said, “Thank you all so much. Ebony magazine, 1971; Dick Gregory, his wife, Lillian and 8 of their 10 children (the others were not born at the time of this photo). The world would be better off if they had a Lillian. Poems, musical tributes and video greetings from Stevie Wonder, Susan Taylor, Rev.
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