Gandy showed leadership

Freda Gandy, director of Spokane’s MLK Family Center, is a hero. A few in the large gathering at the Convention Center disrupted Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ speech. It’s the first time in my memory of over 20 years of disruption by audience members. It is also the first time in my memory that Rep. McMorris Rodgers attended.

Freda addressed the crowd after the representative finished her speech, amid ongoing verbal comments by a vocal few. Gandy stated she had something to say, noting the children attending and our responsibility to them, as adults as role models. She asked us to consider what we teach our children by such behavior, and what those children experienced.

As an adult, it was an affront to the legacy of Dr. King, the longstanding work of the MLK Center, and our community. The center is raising funds for a new center to accommodate the increasing numbers of children, teens and families served. Freda Gandy’s leadership is passionately child- and family-centered and unwavering.

Elaine Tyrie

Spokane