As Black History Month is coming to an end, The Racial Justice Team wants to recognize Bergen County’s own Theodora Smiley Lacey. She is a civil rights leader whose family was friends with Martin Luther King Jr. She helped launch the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In addition she has been an educator in Teaneck for many years where there is an elementary school named after her.
Honoring and unveiling a portrait of Theodora Lacey – 2/25/24
Bill Orr of Blue Teaneck, author; Photos by Susan Davison
With a maximum capacity audience Theodora Lacey entered FDU’s Wilson Auditorium with thunderous applause, surrounded by family and close friends. Her life is described as “a tapestry of civil rights activism and educational innovation.” When asked by the moderator would those who were mentored by her please stand up, most in the audience did.
FDU students provided a 4-minute video of her life. Family members gathered together on the stage with stories of living with her, including the many, many meetings she attended after work.
Artist Phillip Smallwood and Theodora Lacey chatted together about the importance of the painting and how honored he was in drawing it. Smallwood is a New Jersey-based watercolor artist renowned for the ultra-realistic nature of his paintings. “Working exclusively on handmade watercolor paper, he brings a unique texture and depth to his creations.”
Next came the moment in the hall outside the auditorium everyone was waiting for – the unveiling of her portrait which she was to see for the first time. With Reggie on his horn, a few words from the artist, and the drama building up, a grandson raised the veil for Theodora Lacey and others to view the portrait.
