Kidsbridge was saddened to hear of the passing of local civil rights icon Edith Savage-Jennings. Details of Edith’s life can be found here (link). http://www.trentonian.com/general-news/20171112/civil-rights-icon-edith-savage-jennings-dies
Said Executive Director, Lynne Azarchi, “In November, we lost a local hero. Trenton’s Edith Savage Jennings passed away at the young age of 93. She was a passionate mentor to Kidsbridge, a fundraiser for Rev. Martin Luther King, a rebel who challenged Trenton’s segregation on both State Street and in movie theaters as a teenager, and ultimately, a feisty, courageous UPstander. I will personally miss her more than I can say. Edith was a true treasure, a supporter of Kidsbridge, and most importantly, a good friend.”
Ms. Jennings was honored at the Kidsbridge’s Ninth Annual Humanitarian Awards in 2015. Regal and charming, through a few stories she shed a little light on the extraordinary woman that she was. “Edith was definitely a ‘one of a kind’ role model. Her legacy will serve as a gadfly to us at Kidsbridge and others who believe in the causes she so ably and consistently supported,” expressed one Kidsbridge Board member. Said another, “Not only was Edith articulate about the causes she championed, she also took action on their behalf with gusto – even late into her life when many of us are too tired to act.”
Meg Palladino, grant writer for Kidsbridge, recalls when Ms. Jennings came to the Tolerance Center to speak to a group of high school youth. “What was SO impressive about Edith is that while she focused on the greater cause of civil rights, efforts closest to Edith’s heart were to improve conditions in the neighborhoods of Trenton. I admire Edith for her courage, her tenacity, and her strength because during extremely difficult and emotional times, she never backed down.”
This link https://kidsbridgecenter.org/2015-gala/ will take you to the write-up about Ms. Jennings and her special night of being honored as a Kidsbridge Humanitarian. This photo captures Edith addressing the attendees and receiving her crystal award.
The photo that follows depicts Ms. Jennings as a member of a panel celebrating a Day of Service on MLK Day in 2015. Under the general heading of “Social Justice and Prejudice Reduction,” the panel, led by Ms. Jennings, shared content and insights, comparing civil rights’ efforts in the 1960’s to our situation today. Ms. Jennings’ accounts of being with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the struggles they faced were bo
th fascinating and inspirational. Panelists created vivid picture of where we are and where we need to go. This link https://kidsbridgecenter.org/events/2015mlk/ will take you to our MLK event page. There you will find additional photos, and an Action News video piece about Dr. King and some of the different ways his life was being celebrated locally. Key to that video is an interview with Ms. Jennings.
What a life! Edith Savage-Jennings will truly be missed.