Black Women United For Action
September 23, 2006 - The laying of wreaths. 
We do so to honor our loved ones and friends who have gone on before us. We
do so to commemorate special events. Unlike any other wreath laying ceremony,
yet at the same time familiar, many came to Mount Vernon - home of President, George
Washington to honor and pay homage to the tireless, the unappreciated, and the all-too-often unrecognized existence
of the three-hundred slaves who lived, worked, and died on the historical plantation.
The ceremony, possibly one of a
vast few of its kind in Virginia, began in 1983 when members of Black
Women United For Action
(BWUFA), in its effort to acknowledge African American historical landmarks in Fairfax County, Virginia, realized that
not much attention had been paid to Mount Vernon's slave burial site.
The initial plaque at the site, thought to be too informal for such a historical landmark, was upgraded to a more
dignified
memorial
that
is prominently displayed on the grounds today.
The memorial, designed by students
at Howard University’s School of Architecture, is now a granite column in the center of three concentric brick circles which reads “In Memory of the Afro Americans
Who Served as Slaves at Mount Vernon…”.
The annual memorial and wreath laying ceremony, facilitated by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, in concert with
BWUFA, embodies the spirit of the ancestors through song, dance, and narration. The
Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church Dancers of Richmond, Virginia; the Intermezzo
Choir Ministry of Philadelphia
and the Prosperity Gospel Youth Choir presented this year’s performances.
Actor, Gary
Dourdan narrated the “
Hush Harbor Experience” - a depiction of how African slaves secretly communicated with each
other during prayer and worship, unbeknownst to their slave owners. In between
the narrative reading, the audience members, along with Mr. Dourdan, sang familiar spirituals such as Steal Away, and
Hush! Somebody’s Calling My Name. Mr. Dourdan said he could “feel the spirit of the ancestors” upon his arrival to Mount Vernon. He gave recognition to the ancestors and seemed overcome with emotion during
the libations and drumming portion of the wreath laying ceremony.
Several members of the clergy,
local officials, and radio talk show host and civil rights activist,
Joe Madison
were also on hand for the ceremony; as were members of the International
Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters
(Michael P. Neuhard, Chief) who, since 1990, have joined forces with BWUFA to ensure the yearly event is a success.
It is the hope of BWUFA members that the annual memorial and wreath laying ceremony will soon become an international
event.
The event occurs each year in September and is open to the public.
Links and little known facts:
Dr.Judith Saunders
West
Ford, son of George Washington
George
Washington
African
American History in Virginia
George
Washington’s Philadelphia Slaves
