Happy Birthday in Heaven #KatherineDunham, #OprahLegend
#Repost Letter to Oprah and Gayle King: Remembering Katherine Dunham, May 1, 2006
Dear Oprah, Gayle and JJ...
I am writing this letter of Gratitude because I once told Katherine Dunham that it was never too late to say Thank You!
Looking back into times long past, Miss Dunham's letter to you Oprah, opened a mystical pathway that gave us all the opportunity to honor an elder and exceed her dreams.
Thank You, each of you...For your beautiful hearts and your generous spirits!
Oprah, when you named Miss Dunham one of your LEGENDS, it was one of the happiest days of my life. Miss Dunham shared the elegant invitation with unmitigated joy and asked me to call Dr. Glory Van Scott. She too was thrilled! We both knew that if Miss Dunham had One Wish, it was to meet You face to face.
Unfortunately due to unforseen complications, Miss Dunham was not permitted to make the journey to California. She was very disappointed and lamented that she had been so close, but that a great opportunity had been thwarted.
And then Oprah, something shifted in the Universe. Dr. Glory asked me to reach out to You and Gayle in 2006 and invite you to La Boule Blanche at Riverside Church in celebration of the publication of the collected writings of Katherine Dunham, KAISO! edited by Veve Clark and Sara E. Johnson.
I personally delivered packages to O Magazine and followed up with you, JJ. I will always remember your constant kindness and patience!
And when JJ let me know that Gayle would be attending La Boule Blanche on May 1st, 2006, my heart sang with joy!
But Gayle, you were unable to attend and sent a messenger with a personal note to give to Dr. Glory Van Scott.
It said that you were hoping to see Miss Dunham on May 11th. Neither Dr. Glory or I knew anything about an invitation for Miss Dunham but there was JJ to the rescue to explain it was the private viewing of the LEGENDS Weekend.
Dr. Glory was scheduled to travel with her beloved, George Wein and was unable to accompany Miss Dunham but she arranged for Leonard Buggs to drive her. In attendance were Madeline Preston and Eloise Anderson who both had been Dunham Company Members.
What a Miracle that Miss Dunham got her Wish before she Ascended on May 21st, 2006. I remember that it was bittersweet watching the show on May 22nd.
Gayle, we reached out to to help us commemorate Miss Dunham 's 100 birthday celebration produced by Dr. Glory at Symphony Space in NYC, and received a heartfelt quote for program booklet. It is in the enclosed press kit.
Ladies, I have struggled with writing this letter of Gratitude for some time but, last Saturday, I attended the 45th Anniversary Concert of Sweet Honey In The Rock with Dr. Glory and I felt Miss Dunham somehow speaking to me from the Heavens.
When I got home I turned on the computer and looked for a photo of Oprah and Miss Dunham. I had searched unsuccessfully for years but now there it was before me!
The last photos before Miss Dunham Ascended! WOW! What a Beautiful Blessing! What a Remarkable Memory!
Enclosed is a signed copy of GLORY: A Life Among Legends by Dr. Glory Van Scott. I am so happy to have journeyed with her as she wrote this book. Before he Ascended, Gil Noble told Dr. Glory that it ought to be a movie. I'm holding that vision too.
Sandra Bookman recently interviewed her on ABC7's Here and Now in NYC. It is available online.
Like you, Oprah, Gayle and JJ...
Dr. Glory Van Scott is a woman of compassion and integrity. She wrote GLORY so that many would be acknowledged and remembered. It is a tapestry of her life.
I am doing my best to share her story with many and am open to your suggestions!
With Gratitude and Respect,
Melony
Melony McGant
Coordinating Director
Dr. Glory Van Scott Productions
drgloryvanscottproductions@yahoo.com
Photo Collage:
May 11, 2006
#Oprah and #KatheringDunham
May 1, 2006, La Boule Blanche (produced by Dr. Glory Van Scott) Photo by Tyrone Rasheed
DUNHAM COMPANY MEMBERS
Standing (L-R)
#CamilleYarbrough, #JeanLeonDestine
#DrGloryVanScott, #JulieBelafonte
Sitting
#EloiseAnderson, #KatherineDunham
#MadelinePreston
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