Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published Nov. 3, 2004

Not leaving children behind is hardly a new idea

The No Child Left Behind education Act has become a familiar term but there is another similar phrase - Leave No Child Behind - that was in use earlier and has a much broader meaning. In 1973 a young black woman lawyer founded the Children's Defense Fund as a voice for America's youngest citizens.

CDF is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. It has never taken government funds.

Marian Wright Edelman was the woman who saw the need and took on the awesome responsibility. As founder and president of CDF. Edelman guided the non-partisan organization to become a respected, strong advocate for children's interests. Through building coalitions CDF's efforts have resulted in many positive programs.

Their mission statement was chosen in the 1990s. It is "Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities." A child's drawing is used in many CDF publications. Pictured is a child in a boat riding high on a bumpy sea with the handwritten words, "Dear Lord be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small."

Much had been accomplished from 1973 to 1991 but Edelman had one dream still to be fulfilled. She hoped to find a retreat where leaders, both seasoned and new, could meet together to share and plan. In 1991 she read of Alex Haley's death. The article on the passing of the author of Roots mentioned the farm he had owned since 1984 in Clinton, TN.
Marian Edelman knew "this was the place." This is a woman of unbounding faith and even after she learned it was already sold she believed it would all work out. The original deal fell through and in 1994 CDF purchased the Haley Farm.

The 157 acres of land provide a serene, quiet change from the hustle and bustle of daily life. There are several creeks, a large apple orchard and walking trails. Mountains dot the horizon. Near the main lodge a long pier leads to Norton Pond and a sheltering gazebo at its far end.

In an interview several years ago Edelman described Haley Farm to the reporter. "Every movement needs a home, a place to rekindle the spirit, learn new skills, meet people who share a common mission, debate and discuss, and build a sense of community - a safe place to draw strength from others who have joined the struggle for social justice and civil and human rights in order to go back to their communities to advocate for children."

She often speaks of how blessed they were to find this place which already carried the legacy of Alex Haley. He had many improvements but there was an 1860s barn in prominent view which had stood unused for a good 30 years. It was deteriorating but today it is a thing of beauty. In 1999 architect Maya Lin, designer of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, visited Clinton and the old barn was salvaged. Today it is the Langston Hughes Library and a resource center for books on African American history and culture.

When the Haley Farm became a reality Edelman made a solemn promise that the first new building would be a chapel. As she often said about projects, "We don't have the money but we'll get it." Next week that chapter.

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.