55th anniversary of historic protest

St. Louis civil rights activist Percy Green was honored by the Jefferson National Parks Association with a poster commemorating his historic climb up the Gateway Arch 55 years ago on July 14, 1964. The climb was in protest of the lack of African American workers or contractors being hired for the arch construction project. The protest was successful. Today, the diversity of their workforce is evident as you walk around the newly renovated Arch. Watch the clip from Fox 2 News below.

Don’t miss Dred and Harriet with Thomas Jefferson on the wall and tables in the Arch Cafe’.  It’s stunning!!

In loving Memory of Co-Founders Dr. John and Marsulite Madison

John A. Madison, Jr. was a great-grandson of Dred Scott.  He was the 6th child born to John Alexander Madison, Sr. (Dred Scott’s grandson) and Grace Cross Madison.  He received his JD from Lincoln Law School in Jefferson City and his B.S in Education from Harris Stowe College (now HSSU).  He was a lifelong Kappa and devoted father of four. Doc, as he was fondly called by his peers, taught science, history, math, law and languages during his long career with the St. Louis public schools. His children shared him with many others who called him “Dad”. He was the family spokesperson for the Dred Scott legacy until the year 2003. 

Marsulite Charleston Madison was the oldest of two daughters born to Lemuel and Maruslite Harrison Charleston. Although they both were graduates of Sumner High School in St Louis, MO (she graduated at 16) Marcy, as she was called later in life, met her future husband at Harris Stowe. She graduated from nursing school and practiced as an L.P.N. Later in 1970 she graduated from Forest Park Comm College with her R.N. (Registered Nurse). Marcy was the first black head nurse at Incarnate Word Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.  She practiced nursing for 43 years.

The Madisons were well known and much loved in their church and community. John passed in July of 2007 two months before their 56th anniversary.  Marsulite passed in 2013. Their four children, three still living, Lynne, (co-founder of DSHF), John III (d. In 2002), Marsulite and Michael, along with many cousins, enjoy the memory of their parents and co-founders of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation, begun in 2006.