Alberta Henry

She was one of those people of stature who need only one name. When anyone said, "Alberta would like to meet with you," people knew who she was and what that meeting would likely be about. It would be about justice, opportunity, community and caring.

Alberta Hill Henry passed away last Wednesday at the age of 84. She had served as president of the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP, as youth adviser for the group and a member of the board of directors. She was an educator. She established the Alberta Henry Education Foundation to help struggling students pay for college. Over the years she was on more than 100 boards, received an honorary doctorate from the University of Utah and was cited for her service by President Richard M. Nixon.

Originally from Kansas — her father was a sharecropper— Henry moved west to "rest" from an ailment. But rest was the last thing she got here. She stayed in Utah, she said, because she felt a vocation to help Utahns. She spent the last 55 years of her life helping.

But if her official acts were impressive, so was her personal style. She spoke clearly and forcefully for those with no voice. She had the ability to softly counsel with people one-on-one, or — when called upon — step to a podium and take over a room.

Some have called her the Utah Rosa Parks. The comparison is fitting. Instead of "sitting down" for civil rights, however, Henry stood up for them. She held her ground. She would not be moved.

Still, the name that comes to our mind is from another Henry — the hero of early American folk songs. When it seemed that industry was undercutting human dignity and the "machine" was grinding up great swaths of humanity, John Henry took pick in hand and challenged the system to make room for not only himself but for people in general. Through grit, determination, blood, tears, sweat, hard work and skill, John Henry came out with victory.

Alberta Henry did the same.

Today, songs are sung about John Henry. If there is justice in the world, people will sing of Alberta Henry.

She was never a role model for just blacks but was a role model for Americans of every color and creed.