San Mateo County marks 100 years of Black History Month by honoring a civil rights architect and a NASA trailblazer
San Mateo County, California – The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors celebrated 100 years of Black History Month by honoring two people whose lives show how America has changed over the years, from the courtroom to outer space.
Supervisor Lisa Gauthier said that the centennial was not only a celebration, but also a reminder that progress doesn’t happen on its own. She noted that black history is an important part of the country’s larger story and has shaped its conscience and future.
The Board honored Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a civil rights lawyer, for being a trusted advisor to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jones helped write the “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 and was beside King for important events in the civil rights movement. He spoke to the group over Zoom, even though he is now 95. He was clear and to the point when he said that true leadership starts with caring for the people you serve. He stated it couldn’t be made. It has to be authentic.
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Those judicial victory opened doors that had been closed for a long time. Dr. Yvonne Cagle, a doctor, astronaut, and researcher, is one of the people that stepped through them. She got her biochemistry degree from San Francisco State University and then trained at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where she became a mission specialist and worked on research into astronaut health and space telemedicine.
Cagle looked back on her own life and saw two events that are forever carved in American memory. She heard Dr. King’s speech when she was a little girl. Later, on July 20, 1969, she saw astronauts walk on the moon. She stated those things changed how she saw what was possible.
She told the Board about the amazing speed of orbit, when even a blink takes you miles farther from Earth. She also talked about the silent wonder of drifting in space. People stood up and clapped for her words.
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Historian Carter G. Woodson started “Negro History Week” in 1926, which later became Black History Month. Maurice Goodman, president of the local NAACP, noted that the 100th anniversary is a time of pride and duty for the group. He said that while challenges vary, the objective stays the same: to make sure that when people in the area want fairness and opportunity, someone is there to listen.
By commemorating Jones and Cagle, county authorities connected historical problems to future goals. This demonstrated that development is attainable with intention and bravery, even if it doesn’t happen on its own.
