Beyond FAREWELL: Mildred Loving

Madame Carleen over at Pajama Gardener served up a sweet tribute on May 7 to Mildred Loving (pictured above with her husband, Richard), who died earlier this month. Mildred Loving was a lady whose determination to do what was right for herself and her husband and family resulted in the monumental Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia that ultimately impacted her entire country. Carleen’s personal notes about her marriage echo mine. My thanks to the Lovings also extend to my husband’s parents who were brave enough to marry across the huge racial divide of 1964, and whose son (my sweetie) arrived on the scene in 1965.

For full details of the historic Loving v. Virginia decision of 1967, check out the New York Times obituary referred to in Carleen’s post. And for insights into Mildred Loving and her perspective regarding the rights of all people to marry, read the powerful Loving for All statement she presented at the 40th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia last year on June 12...a date now known as Loving Day.

Carleen also noted Barack Obama’s heritage as a son of parents who crossed racial lines. I find it intriguing that Mrs. Loving’s passing occurred in the same year our first presidential candidate of color is campaigning. I hope she felt proud of what she accomplished and that she enjoyed the many later years she was able to spend back in her beloved state of Virginia.