Honoring African American Women
A Message from the Interim Editor, Phil W. Petrie...

     Again I have the privilege of temporarily serving as interim editor of The Crisis until the next editor in chief is named.

     The task is not to present to you a new Crisis, but to maintain the high standards already established. It’s a pleasure to bring my 70 years of life experience to bear — even in this brief editorial stint — and to exercise the aggregate skills I’ve developed as a book editor in trade and educational publishing and an editor in trade magazine publishing. The downside of being in the September of one’s years is perhaps being more inclined to remembrance than to vision.

     Nevertheless, the editorial calendar provided by the staff of The Crisis proved an invaluable guide. The current issue commemorates Women’s History Month with features about trailblazers — young and old — who have made a difference in our nation. Our cover story looks at Black women in the military, particularly the accomplishments and challenges of Capt. Vernice G. Armour, the first Black woman combat pilot in history, who has served two tours of duty in Iraq. She is indeed a vision of the future.

     We also profile three other trailblazers who have “been in the storm so long:” activist and actress Ruby Dee, union leader Lillian Roberts and attorney Margaret Bush Wilson. Now in or near their 80s, they are still fighting for truth and justice. These women overcame tremendous odds and endured the most challenging of circumstances. The world is fortunate that their dreams did not exceed their grasp.

     This issue of The Crisis also features an update on the Sean Bell case. Last fall, Bell was tragically shot by police 50 times the day he was to be married. In “Crisis Forum” we profile the E&S Art Gallery, which specializes in commercial and original art, sculptures and fine prints by African Americans. Also, award-winning journalist Herb Boyd has a delightful conversation with acclaimed poet and essayist Mari Evans, who, at 83, is as controversial as ever. And in “Issues and Views,” pundit Julianne Malveaux asks: “Does having African American congressional committee chairpersons mean a new political agenda for Black America?”

     The cooperation, dedication and professionalism of The Crisis staff have pulled this all together. Creative director Wayne Fitzpatrick and senior editor Lottie Joiner took on additional duties and maneuvered around the sudden bumps of working with a new, and temporary, editor with grace of heart and spirit. They went above and beyond — working long days, late nights, weekends and holidays to help bring you the quality publication to which you’ve become accustomed. The Crisis is fortunate to have them providing continuity and taking up the slack during this difficult transition period.

     We are all always grateful to you, our readers, for your desire and expectation of getting a quality magazine. May that long continue.

Letters to the editor may be sent to
The Crisis
7600 Georgia Avenue, NW
Suite 405
Washington, DC 20012 or
thecrisiseditorial@naacpnet.org

* Letters may be edited for length or clarity.