http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/01-04/01-18-04/a07lo714.htm A model of talent and grace  Imagine the year is 1965 and you are a child whose parents have dragged you to yet another event at the Cape Verdean American Veterans Association. You anticipate that it will be boring, with lots of grownups talking, followed by some dancing. You'd much rather be almost anywhere than in the Vet's Hall. But there you are and there you'll be until it was over, so you try to make the best of it by bugging the kid next to you. Suddenly a hush comes over the room and in walks one of the tallest women you have ever seen. She is wearing a large hat and more makeup than your mother usually wears. As she walks passed you, the scent of her perfume lingers in the air. She reminds you of Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly as she walks to her seat at the head table. The word "class" comes to mind. (OK, maybe not at first, but it comes to you later). "Who's that?" You whisper and are immediately hushed by your mother. Your playmate giggles. The Star-Spangled Banner is played, followed by the Portuguese national anthem, and then you sit. The woman who has entered the room is Ethel Ramos Harris, a Cape Verdean woman who was born in Newport, R.I. Her father was the captain of a merchant ship, and it's said she spent the first five years of her life onboard the ship. She is a world-renowned concert pianist, composer, vocalist and lecturer. Henry J. Barros, chairman of the Achievement Committee, summarized Mrs. Harris' impressive life when introducing her. After attending the Technical High School in Providence, Mrs. Harris attended the Hans Schneider Piano School in the same city. In his introduction, he says that Mrs. Harris "took some Boston University Extension Courses, attended Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, the Tanglewood-Berkshire Music Centre in Lenox, Massachusetts, and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston," where she completed the four-year course of study in three. Mrs. Harris won international scholarships for composition and has toured around the world. She's performed at almost all of the embassies in Washington, D.C. She was a guest at the White House four times: as a soloist for former Vice President Barkley's wife, as a performer for former President Harry Truman, and to present her music to former First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Mamie Eisenhower. The introduction continued, highlighting her many compositions; her work as a member of 24 various organizations, clubs and associations; and her role as lecturer at several major universities and colleges. Mrs. Harris has also been honored by civic organizations ranging from the National Negro Opera Foundation and the United Negro College Fund to the New Kensington (PA) Chapter of the Westmoreland County Medical Society Auxiliary. Clearly, you are impressed. Not only with her accomplishments, but with the fact that she took time from her busy schedule to accept an award in New Bedford. Mr. Barros reads the plaque to the audience as he presents it to Mrs. Harris. "In that she has proved to be: As a student, An industrious scholar; As a mother, A model of nuptial consistency, benevolence and devotion; As a composer, A sedulous creator of the fine art of music; As a civic leader, A punctilious and resourceful guide; And as an American of Cape Verdean Heritage, An inspiration to our youth." The crowd applauds and Mrs. Harris takes the stage. Her speech, you learn many years later, is called "Education, the Keynote to Success." As she speaks, you find yourself listening intently. Every once in a while in the back of your mind a little voice says, "She's Cape Verdean, just like me." After her speech, Mrs. Harris performed an original composition she wrote in honor of her father. Although you couldn't really relate with her style of music, you were impressed with her talent and proud she was a Cape Verdean woman. The visit of Ethel Ramos Harris had a big impact on many people who attended the event, but I think it had an even bigger impact on the children that day. To think, that a Cape Verdean American woman who came from New England, daughter of a merchant ship captain, could accomplish so much with hard work and determination. When I came across the Ethel Ramos Harris story while looking in one of my father's notebooks on Cape Verdeans, I had to write about her. I wasn't quite 5 when Mrs. Harris received her award, and I don't remember the event. However, something about her story made me feel it was an important one to share, not only on Mrs. Harris' behalf, but for another little girl out there who might read this and be inspired. Ann Marie Lopes can be reached at sosabe@verizon.net This story appeared on Page A7 of The Standard-Times on January 18, 2004. |