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® ,r Angiwta a THE PEOPLE’S PAPER ((2Wj) NATIONAL BLACK NEWS SERVICE \\ J J MEMBER Vol. 3 Pilgrim Insurance Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary The Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company is celebrating its 75 th anniversary this week. The second oldest Black Insurance Company in All White All Male Juries Mete Out Life And 80 Years By R.L. Oliver Last week in Richmond County Superior Court, all white, all male juries handed down sentences of a combined The Williams Family: Young, Gifted And Black _ JI TRACY, 111 The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Williams, of 3110 Fir Court, have distinguished themselves in ways that can’t help but make their parents proud. The eldest, Tracy Williams 111, 15, is a tenth grader at Glenn Hills High School. He was recently selected to participate in the Governor’s Honors Program, an intensive training program for gifted students. The students spend eight weeks at Wesleyan College in Macon, concentrating on their area of highest aptitude. In order to be considered for the Governor’s Honors Phase II - . ; "Build It Back” Campaign Paine College’s “Build It Back” campaign - Phase II got underway today with the announcement of its co-chairmen. General John C. F. Tills n, vice president of the Georgia Railroad Bank & Trust Company, and William J. Weltch, president of First Federal Savings and Loan Association, will spearhead the $400,000 drive to rebuild Haygood Hall, the campus academic and administration center and Augusta landmark, destroyed by fire in 1968. “It will be a real challenge to Mrs. Zorata Ridley Funeral services for Mrs. Zorata M. Ridley, who died Thursday, was held at 4 pm Monday at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Father Simmons officiating. Burial was in Cedar Grove Cemetery. the world--it was organized in Augusta, Georgia on May 2, 1898. Deep in the red hills of Georgia was a young ambitious Black named Solomon W. total of eighty years and one life sentence. Donnie K. Godbee was given twenty years for robbery, twenty years for kidnapping, " "K SERENA Program, a student must have an IQ of 130 or better. Tracy is one of two students from Glenn Hills who will participate in the program this summer. Tracy was named Glenn Hill’s most outstanding sub-freshman and has had the highest average in his class for the past two years. At the recent CSRA Science Fair, his project on Modular Arithmetic took fifth place. But he won first place for the lecture he gave explaining his project during the forum at Augusta College. His sister, Serena, 13, took third place for her project in the Augusta business community to match the vigorous and successful efforts of Phase I of this campaign,” said Mr. Weltch referring to the “first hundred thousand” drive aimed excluxsively at the black community here which exceeded its goal by some $14,000. By June 5, it is expected that the total in the “Build It Back” fund will be $500,000 - the amount necessary to secure federal long term financing for the proposed $2 million new Haygood Hall. Housing critically needed classroom space, laboratories and offices, the “learning center” is a vital point in the 10-year program of development announced by Dr. Lucius H. Pitts, president of Paine College, in his inaugural statement last week. The “Golden Decade” leading up to the 100th birthday of the predominately Black institution calls for new curriculum thrusts and for strengthening and enlarging existing programs. P.O. Box 953 Walker. Young Solomon, then a delivery boy in a grocery store, saw the great opportunity and benefits that awaited Blacks in economic and life for rape. Godbee was convicted of being one of two persons who kidnapped a Medical College of Georgia student from the ■f- -''•A ' • ‘ It 1 > F /peter 3// Audio"‘Visual Perception. She has posted the highest average in her class the past two years. Peter, a ninth grader, has also led his class with the highest average over the same period. Not to be out done, their 9 year old sister, a 4th grader at Glenn Hills Elementary, has been selected to participate in a program for gifted students in Richmond County, to begin next year. Students in the program must have an IQ 130 and above. They must also read at least two grade levels above their class. Their mother teaches Science at John M. Tutt Jr. High and their father is assistant principal at T. W. Josey High. Shriner’s Spring Ceremony' Saturday, April 28th at 1:00 P.M. The parade assembly will Ml be held at 12:30 to 12:50P.M. ' . on the Augusta Avenue side of Antioch Baptist Church. The ‘ parade will move from Antioch ( Baptist Church, North of Augusta Avenue to Gwinnett ,* Street, turning right o Gwinnett Street, Turning east to Twiggs street. The parade 7 I | will end at Gwinnett and * Twiggs Stret. t • A i ic at 2 S' . ED McINTYRE The Neziah Grand Shrine Temple and Daughters of Isis will conduct their Grand Spring Ceremony beginning Saturday, April 28, 1973, continuing through Sunday, April 29. Registration begins at 9:00 A Al. Saturday, April 28, 1973 at the Up-Towner Motor Inn Bth and Reynold Streets. A parade is scheduled for development. Walker put his idea into action and he became the originator of this great insurance institution. Walker shared his vision with school’s parking lot, drove her out close to Waynesboro, Ga., raped her, stole her car, and left her with one quarter to get home. Godbee is already serving thirty years for robbery. Ricky Ricardo Johnson was given two twenty year sentences for two cases of armed robbery. Johnson was convicted for robbery with a weapon at Peachtree Apartments early last year. Willie James Jackson, alias Willie James Cooper, was sentenced to twenty years in prison for the rape of a fifty four year old woman. Jackson was convicted for attaching and raping the woman on her way home from work, and leaving her unconcious and naked in a vacant lot on West Walton Way. Other sentences include: William Creed, three years for two counts of aggravated assault, to be served concurrently. Charles Brinson was sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to robbery, Other cases were: Robert Lee Cobb, for robbery-five years; Melvin Rhodes, robbery-ten years; Michael Mitchell, theft by taking-five years; Vern Gaber-Conversion of leased personal property-one hundred and twenty one days, with credit for time already served. James R. Simmons, 30, was sentenced to serve ten years outside the confines of prison as long as he does not violate any laws or City ordinances, does not consume any alcohol, keeps regularly employed jijpd submits to medical treatment, as regularly as his father, Hugh Barton (his employer), and his probation officer decide. Saturday, April 28th at 1:00 P.M. The parade assembly will be held at 12:30 to 12:50 P.M. on the Augusta Avenue side of Antioch Baptist Church. The parade will move from Antioch Baptist Church, North of Augusta Avenue to Gwinnett Street, turning right o Gwinnett Street, Turning east to Twiggs Street. The parade will end at Gwinnett and Twiggs Stret. A banquet is scheduled at 8:00 P.M., Saturday, April 28th at the Up-Towner Motor Inn. The speaker for this accasion will be Ed Mclntyre. Lewis “Pop” Newman, Mayor of Augusta, will present a key to the city to the visiting Shrines and Isis. Kaaba Temple Number three (3) is the host temple for the Spring Grand Ceremony. For information, contact Noble Charles H. Wilderson of Savannah Road, Augusta, Georgia at 724-9213. three of his young associates and these young men decided to launch out into the Company’s development. The other three were Walter S. Hornsby, Sr., Thomas J. Walker, brother of Solomon, and J.C. Collier. In the new venture they were directed by Rev. Thomas Jefferson Hornsby, uncle of the Walkers ’and father of Walter Hornsby. I The organization took place in the home of Rev. Hornsby under a Richmond (Augusta) County Charter. One of the things that indicates the determination of this group was that the Charter was purchased on the installment plan and paid for out of the meager earnings of young Solomon Walker. The Company was named The Pilgrim Benevolent Aid Association, and Rev. Hornsby became the first President. The growth of the Company was steady and substantial in spite of the many financial difficulties. However, these young pioneers were finally faced with what appeared to be an insurmountable barrier. In 1905 the State of Georgia passed a law requireing all such associations to place on deposit the sum of $5,000.00 for the protection of policy or certificate holders. This created a major crisis for they had no means of raising this enormous amount. A ray of hope was found in a few other local societies that came into existance after Pilgrim. These small associations also faced the same unfortunate peril for none of them were able to secure this exorbitant ($5,000.00) sum. The officials of several societies decided to pool their resources in order to Paine Graduates Return To Augusta Two prominent New Yorkers, who are also Paine college graduates, will return to Augusta during the first week in May for permanent retirement residence at a home they recently purchased at 417 Goldfinch Court in Richmond County. Mr. and Mrs. Emory L. Russell, Sr. were classmates at Paine, recieved their A.B. degrees in 1932 and left for their first assignment at Tate, Ga. where he served as principal and Mrs. Russell a teacher. The next assignment for the Russells was in Atlanta where he entered the U.S. Postal Service in 1940. During this period he also attended Atlanta University where he graduated majoring in Economics and Cost Accounting. In 1945 he was transferred by the Postal Service to New York City. From this new assignment Mr. Russell was to serve for 26 years in the city and regional offices of this federal service. During this time he advanced rapidly upwards in promotional ranks fro Foreman, transportation research officer, chief of routing branch to his final position as chief, New York Region transportation planning and distribution branch. He retired from this position in Augusta, Georgia .u'n 1 i'L-?-- ~~ ■* I - I ~SB fell fckt l E -i w-'^B. 1 ■B ■■ ■ Jr QpWFXI ■BB w- ■■■■■ I I I zip s2 * I HR Mjfcj I- -"'■'Tfßßiik I S . ■ B : > B||| I ? ■ 4 ■■- & f —— ■ -* MB M®gjg|gg| THE PILGRIM HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY raise the required five thousand dollars and merged their activities under one banner. Thus in 1905, The Cooperative • Society, The Benevolent Relief and Benefit Association, The Southern Mutual Aid Society and The Pilgrim Benevolent Aid Association, all of Augusta, united and became The Pilgrim Health and life Insurance Company. In the succeeding years, the progress of the Company was marked with significant achievements. In 1923 the scope of the company’s service was broadened as it entered the state of Alabama and seven years later qualified to do business in the state of South Carolina. Pilgrim’s moving on progressively qualified in 1951 1971. He was the first Black to be appointed regional field officer in the Postal Service. Mr. Russell’s inovative work thrust won for him five national and regional citations and awards, one being from Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield in 1958. An active member of both the National Postal Transport Association and the National Alliance of Postal Employees, he served them in official leadership capacities. In 1948 the National Urban League cited him for outstanding leadership in labor relations. Upon retirement in 1971 the Flying Tigers Airlines employed him as a special consultant. Mr. Russell is a nationally recognized authority in transportation, and planning in postal airmail and cargo. Mrs. Russel (Mae) is a native of Milledgeville and Emory Fort Valley. She retired in 1969 after a long assignment as Administrative Assistant in the United Nations Office, Board of Missions of the Methodist Church headquarters in New York City. She was also closely associated with Miss Thelma Stevens, a national officer of that agency and formerly Director of the Augusta Bethlehem Center. The Russells have one son, to do business in the sunshine state of Florida. In 1931 Pilgrim took over the Georgia Mutual Life Insurance Company of Augusta, Georgia, and in 1938 it reinsured the business of The Mutual Relief and Benevolent Association of Columbia, South Carolina. Today, the Company operates 19 offices in the states of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida. Pilgrim employ approximately 375 people. In addition to many of its employees being stockholders, the Company provides a full ine of benefits. Also last year, paid its employees in salary wages and commission around three million dollars. Through the Company’s Emory, Jr. a graduate of Syracuse University and currently an industrial designer-engineer in Los Angeles where he lives with his family. Mr. Russell, Sr. is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the NAACP and National Urban League. She is an active Methodist and both have worked with the Paine College Club. In 1955 Mr. Russell was co-chairman of the Citizens Committee which sponsored a reception for the late Dr. Channing H. Tobias upon his return from a U.N. assignment. NEWS-REVIEW columnist Philip Waring has observed that the Russells will be a welcomed Paul Robeson Honored By Charlie Cobb National Black News Service NEW YORK—Blacks from all walks of life paid tribute to Paul Robeson at a massive and moving “cultural celebration” of the Black actor-singer’s 75 th birthday. Robeson, in ill health at his home in Philadelphia was unable to come to the event held in New York’s Carnegie Hall , but sent a tape recorded message. April 26, 1973 No. 6 Mortgage Loan Department, it has provided millions of dollars for Blacks and whites to borrow money to build homes. Today it has over two and a half million dollars in Mortgage Loans. At this writing Pilgrim has about 85 million dollars of insurance in force, and by the end of this year, it is predicted one hundred million or more will be in force. The Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company was founded as a medium through which Black people could combine their scanty means for mutual protection against sickness and death. Its second purpose was heretofore denied them. Pilgrim has served these purposes and more. r ? jMHhi Mr. & Mrs. E.L. Russell, Sr. addition to the civic life of Augusta and the Paine college Alumni organization. “I want you to know that I am the same Paul”, Mr. Robeson said in his message, “dedicated as ever to the world wide cause of humanity for freedom, peace and brotherhood”. A gifted singer and linguist Robeson achieved world wide acclaim for his singing. His SEE ROBESON Page 6