Both Marie-Christine Dunham Pratt, Katherine Dunham’s daughter and Madeline Preston, Dunham’s long-time Executive Assistant, announced today that there will not be a public memorial for Miss Dunham Friday, May 26 in New York. According to Miss Dunham’s Attorney, Robert Freedman in New York, future plans will be announced, but the family has chosen to have a private ceremony at this time.
Charlotte VM Ottley, Dunham’s former Executive Liaison for Legacy Affairs stated, “This is so Dunham. Miss Dunham had a way of making you feel that you were the most important person in life to her when you were in her presence. And often all of us important people in life did not know each other. Each city, each country, each individual will find a way to celebrate Dunham in their own way. Dunham’s legacy is too big and universal to be controlled by any one entity. She was a world citizen.” Ottley reported directly to Dunham on special assignments primarily that of overseeing the restoration and marketing of Dunham’s properties in East St. Louis and overall fundraising efforts. Since Dunham’s passing the Board has requested that Ottley continue to serve as their consultant.
Plans are underway in East St. Louis, Il for a memorial-celebration on her birthday, June 22, 2006. A pilgramage of Dunham’s constituency world-wide are expected to celebrate and memorialized Miss Dunham on what would have been her 97-Birthday in East St. Louis, IL, where she chose to stake her claim and build her legacy.
East St. Louis, IL is the proverbial Mecca of the Dunham Estate where her museum, children’s workshop, residence and archives are held. The Board of Directors/Advisory Board of the Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities are joined by The Mayor of the City, Carl E. Officer and neighboring Mayors, along with State Representatives Wyvetter Younge, Karen Yarborough, Eddie Washington, Senator James Clayborne, and Il State Secretary of Human Services, Dr. Betty Adams, who are all supporting a memorial to be held on the Dunham Estate on her birthday.
The memorial celebration is chaired by Eugene Redmond, KDCAH Board Member, Historian, and Poet Laureate. Dunham dancers and admirers from around the country are expected to attend and participate in a historic Dunham Technique Seminar. That same day the Missouri Historic Society will host an evening reception.
Other memorials will occur throughout the world.
To make donations dedicated to the Katherine Dunham Memorial in East St. Louis, contact:
Donna Pollion
Katherine Dunham Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 632
East St. Louis, IL 62201
To make donations dedicated to Legacy Builidng: the retention of her museum, artifacts and programs, you can donate directly on line:
www.kdunhamfund.com
Contact: Dr. Betty Adams
Details regarding the East St. Louis Katherine Dunham Memorial Celebration:
Eugene Redmond, chairman
All other inquiries: