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  3. Thank you to the "prophetic" Marycliffers

Thank you to the “prophetic” Marycliffers

Gail Caldwell Bonner was Spokane’s first black Lilac Princess, elected by her fellow students at Marycliff High School. She is pictured here in 1963 with the Lilac Festival court. (File)
Gail Caldwell Bonner was Spokane’s first black Lilac Princess, elected by her fellow students at Marycliff High School. She is pictured here in 1963 with the Lilac Festival court. (File)

My Sunday story was about Gail Caldwell Bonner, Spokane's first black Lilac Princess, elected in 1963 from Marycliff High School in Spokane.

I interviewed Gail and three of the friends who rallied around her to get her nominated 50 years ago in a history making move.

As I transcribed the interviews, I found myself with tears in my eyes. Unusual. Several people emailed me today to tell me the story brought tears to their eyes, too.

I think they are tears of gratitude, for these women who, 50 years ago, knew our country's future was going to be a lot more color blind and judge people more readily on things other than their race.

They were prophets, Maryclff style. So glad I got to tell their story.

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Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.