Mother's Day Peace Party Featuring Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks
Cleveland Public Library - May 12, 2012
The Indian Cultural Garden committee of FICA is one of the sponsoring groups of the annual Mother's Day Peace Party at the MLK branch of the Cleveland Public Library. The May 12, 2012 event was the 5th annual Mother's Day Peace Party.
Margaret Bernstein, Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist, served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the event which included music, dance and performances.
Margaret Bernstein
One of the highlights was a poem recitation by 1st-grader Janaki Nair.
Janaki wore a dress similar to what Mother's Day creator Julia Ward Howe may have worn in 1870. Young Janaki recited, from memory, Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamation.
Janaki Nair
Wynne Antonio presented the Women Speak Out for Peace and Justice scholarship to Alethea Hoffer.
Wynne Antonio
Wynne Antonio and Alethea Hoffer
Alethea Hoffer
Yvonne Pointer was given the Inspirational Mother Award.
Yvonne Pointer
Leon Bibb from WEWS recited one of his poems titled A Chorus Line, which he dedicated to his mother.
Leon Bibb
The highlight of the event was a performance of A Conversation between Icons written by Raj Pillai. It featured Leon Bibb as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Raj Pillai as Mahatma Gandhi and Sherrie Tolliver as Rosa Parks.
Leon Bibb and Sherrie Tolliver as Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks
Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Pillai) arrives
Part 1 of the video
Part 2 of the video
Raj Pillai as Mahatma Gandhi
After the performance, attendees lined up for photos with the 3 historical icons.
Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks with Paramjit Singh
Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks with Debbie Hanson
Martin Luther King (Leon Bibb), Rosa Parks (Sherrie Tolliver) and Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Pillai)
