PITTSBURGH — On Thursday, the City of Pittsburgh honored the legacy of an unsung hero, Alma Speed Fox.
Fox spent seven decades fighting for the rights of Black people, women, and the LGBTQ+ community — and on Thursday morning, at the Calvary Episcopal Church, those closest to her gathered to honor her tireless years of service and shared how they plan to continue her legacy.
“God, family, and the NAACP,” Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre said of the key principles that guided Alma Speed Fox through most of her 98 years of life.
A Cleveland native, Fox would leave her mark in Pittsburgh, overseeing the local branch of the NAACP and founding her nonprofit, Freedom Unlimited Inc.
Celeste Taylor, Fox’s friend and colleague, said she would honor her legacy by continuing the work she began. “Freedom Unlimited will become a civil rights institution in Pittsburgh that will last for generations,” said Taylor as she spoke during Thursday’s service.
“Our children and so many beyond will know of her legacy, of her strength, and her beauty, and her pride,” continued Taylor.
Fox was a civil rights hero serving on the board of directors for the National Organization for Women and the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations.
“How do you honor a giant?” asked Tim Stephens, a longtime friend of Fox’s who spoke at the service.
Fox, the mother of the local civil rights movement, was a mom herself, a grandmother, and a friend.
“Before she was Alma Speed Fox, she was grandma,” said, Kauschia McCloud, Fox’s granddaughter. “Grandma was the one that really instilled and made an impact in me.”
At her thanksgiving of life service, Stephens challenged Pittsburgh residents to honor her memory in service so that she may live on.
“As we leave this church today, we just don’t leave a service, but leave and decide how our service will continue,” said Stephens.
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