news-record.com

The acclaimed actress, Cicely Tyson, was honored Thursday night at the annual dinner that benefits the planned International Civil Rights Center and Museum in downtown Greensboro.

Tyson was more than a fitting choice. Not only is she accomplished in her craft, but in one of her most famous films, "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," she portrayed a fictional civil rights heroine. The TV movie, adapted from a novel by Ernest Gaines, tells the life story of a 110-year-old black woman against an often heartbreaking backdrop of pain and bigotry.

The civil rights museum is a sometimes heartbreaking story in itself, plagued as it’s been over the years by funding and construction challenges. Most recently a damaging leak was discovered at its core. Its projected opening was postponed again, and the cost of its renovation increased. Again. Publicly financed bonds to help finance the renovation were voted down twice.

But the narrative isn’t all that unfamiliar. Bonds to renovate the city’s ballpark also failed on the ballot. Twice. So did the first attempt to locate a new stadium at East Lee and South Elm streets.

Supporters still found ways to make the stadium happen, and nearly everyone in town swells with pride at the result. A project that once had trouble breaking ground has broken attendance records. Various attempts to build a new ballpark (or upgrade the old one) date back to at least 1990. First Horizon Park (now NewBridge Park) opened in the spring of 2005.

As for the museum, there are hopeful developments: Historic tax credits could net as much as $6 million; an inaugural "Black & White Ball" last fall rallied diverse support.

Has the wait been frustrating? Absolutely. Should it be worth the final result? Absolutely.

In the climax of "Miss Jane Pittman," the trembling, 110-year-old title character makes her way, in fragile baby steps, to a "Whites-Only" water fountain. Her lips trembling, she takes a historic sip.

It wasn’t easy getting there, but in time Miss Jane Pittman tasted success. And so will we.