Detroiters, here is a very sad message from John Royal. Keep Judge Morcom in your thoughts and prayers. Sisters and Brothers: So often, we dont celebrate the life of people who have accomplished great things until they have passed. We now have the opportunity to begin to celebrate the life of Hon. Claudia Morcom while she is still alive. Sadly, Judge Morcom has been diagnosed with advanced stage, inoperable, brain cancer. She has been in the hospital the last three weeks, and she is about to be transferred to receive hospice care in her own home. 36th District Judge Pennie Millender is making arrangements for Judge Morcoms care. She is asking for people to send cards and letters to Judge Morcom; and, beginning Monday, June 30, to visit her. Judge Morcom may or may not be up to having long visits; but she is lucid and would love to see people. Also, Judge Millender is seeking a volunteer to spend significant time over the next weeks talking to Judge Morcom about her life, while tape recording the conversations. The hope is that this material can be eventually be fashioned into a book about her amazing life. If you are interested, please contact me directly. (Note: you dont have to agree to write the book to help with the interviews). Cards and letters and visitors can reach Judge Morcom at her home: 9000 E Jefferson Ave Ste 1410 Detroit, MI 48214 For those who are not acquainted with Judge Morcom, she was one of the early African-American female attorneys in Michigan. As a young lawyer, she and now-retired federal Judge Anna Diggs-Taylor volunteered to coordinate the NLG 1964 program to recruit lawyers from all over the country to go south and represent civil rights workers. The two of them were featured on the cover of Jet Magazine for their efforts. Judge Morcom set up an office in a house way out in the country in Mississippi and worked there alone; completely fearless. Attorney Dick Goodman tells how he once drove out to meet with her, and was astonished to find her there, working by herself. Judge Morcom has continued to work for social justice over the years. She helped organize the appearance in Detroit of Angela Davis a few years ago; and she has recently been active in the movement to free the Cuban Five. Judge Morcom is a warm and compassionate person, and Im sure she would love to be visited by NLG members, even those who have never met her; especially law students. I will keep everyone informed on this situation as it unfolds. John Royal.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:57:35 +0000
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