Centenarian Honored at 14th Annual Black History Recognition Banquet

Eloise Larry Wright (“Ebony Queen Eloise,” as her friends call her) has seen vast changes in her 100 years. During her lifetime, Rosa Parks stood up to the city bus company in Montgomery, Alabama, that told her to give up her seat for a white man. This led to the boycott that resulted in the city allowing Blacks to sit anywhere on the bus they wanted to.

She saw fashions come and go; politicians and presidents come and go; countries and empires fall, and technological advances that had not even been dreamed of in the early twentieth century. Ms. Wright saw the devastation of the atomic bomb, as well as the eradication of polio and other diseases in the United States.

She has seen two of her ten children pass away−the greatest heartbreak a parent can face. Ms. Wright came through many trials but also experienced blessings, achievements and joy.

It’s interesting to note that Ms. Eloise was born two years before Negro History Week was created by Carter G. Woodson and she would see it extended to Black History Month in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford.

To celebrate her lifetime of achievement and service, “Ebony Queen” Eloise Wright was honored at the 14th Black History Recognition Banquet on February 23 at the Hernando County Shrine Club. This event is sponsored each year by Black History Month Productions, Inc. Among those in attendance were family, friends, former students, pastors, and local county officials.

The Master of Ceremonies was Reverend James Mitchell, associate pastor of New Bethel AME (African Methodist Episcopal Church) in Tampa. He introduced the guest speakers and kept the attendees entertained with some jokes.

Elder Felicia Sanders gave the Invocation, after which everyone sang the Negro National Anthem, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, based on a poem by James Weldon Johnson. Elder Sanders also gave the Benediction at the end of the evening.

Eloise Larry Wright was born September 15, 1923, in Bradenton, Florida and moved to Brooksville when she was fourteen years old. She was an only child. Her father ran a restaurant and her mother was a hairdresser.

In Brooksville, she attended Moton School, which was the only high school for Black students at that time and graduated in 1943. Upon graduating, she attended Bethune- Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Ms. Wright interrupted her education to take care of her growing family but eventually enrolled in St. Leo College (now St. Leo University), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

She and her husband, Earl, were married for 57 years before he passed away. Faith and family are most important in Ms. Wright’s life. She has been a lifelong member of Bethlehem Progressive Baptist Church, where she has served as a Deaconess and member of various auxiliaries.

When asked what she has found to be the main difference between life today and when she was growing up, Ms. Eloise replied, “There’s not as much emphasis on children and family and going to church.”

And the secret to her longevity? Prayer, living good, being kind to others, healthy eating, and a positive attitude.

Cynthia Yvonne Williams, president, CEO and founder of Black History Month Productions, Inc., also has a background in education.

She taught Speech, Drama and English for 36 years. Her organization has been sponsoring the Black History Month Recognition Banquets for 14 years, only taking a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their first honoree was Ms. Hazel Land, the first African American to graduate with a law degree from the University of Florida. Other honorees have included Annie Williams, a former Supervisor of Elections, and Frankie Burnett, the first Black native Brooksvillian to serve on the City Council. One of their projects will be an oratorical competition in the coming school year.

The keynote speaker was Ms. Jane Wright McQueen, who was introduced by her daughter, Ms. Janae Robinson Thomas. Ms. McQueen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Studies and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration/Management from St. Thomas University. She worked in governmental and non-profit agencies and, after retiring, served as chairperson on the corporate board of directors of the Family Christian Association of America, along with other volunteer activities.

Starting off her address, Ms. McQueen asked the attendees to cup their hands together as a way of demonstrating the theme of her speech, “It depends on whose hands it’s in.” She spoke about two noted African Americans who placed themselves in “the Master’s hands.” These were Harriet Tubman and Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman University. Then she segued into talking about another woman−Eloise Larry Wright−who also placed herself in God’s hands.

Ms. McQueen remarked, “She persevered through what some might call ‘detours and stumbling blocks’ because she knew that stumbling blocks could only turn into stepping stones. She unselfishly has served as a mentor and confidant, providing spiritual guidance and advice.”

Gary Carl Wright, one of Ms. Wright’s sons, made a short speech on behalf of the family thanking everyone for honoring his mother.

Several local dignitaries added their words of praise. They included county commissioner Ryan Amsler, Brooksville city councilman J.W. Mckethan; and Susan Duval, Hernando County school board member. John Mitten, a local businessman who served as an interim county commissioner a few years ago and Attorney Ashley Miller, representing Sheriff Al Nienhuis, also said a few words.

Commissioner Amsler read a proclamation formally declaring February as Black History Month. Councilman McKethan read a similar proclamation from the city of Brooksville, which also included a section extolling Ms. Wright for her service to the community. Mitten praised Ms. Wright for her lifetime of faith, family and excellence.

Ms. Duval read a proclamation from the school board that cited the purpose of Black History Month−to “honor and remember the struggles, achievements, sacrifices, and contributions that Black Americans have made on behalf of the United States and the world.”

Attorney Ashley Miller, the legal counsel at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), thanked Black History Month Productions, Inc. for inviting her to represent HCSO to participate in honoring Ms. Wright.

Carlos Bowler, a poet and spoken word artist, recited an original poem entitled “Celebrating One Hundred Years.” In the poem, he broke down one hundred years into months, weeks, days and hours.

“One hundred years, a life unfolds; surviving the struggle, striving; a story untold” was just one of the impactful lines of the poem.

Imani Asukile, a community organizer and author, spoke about the longstanding African tradition of a Queen Mother who carries the values of the village. He compared Queen Eloise to these African queens of long ago.

Asukile commented, “I tremble when I approach Ms. Eloise because she talks straight. She says what she means and means what she says. She is the mother of mothers in Hernando County for our community.”

Much to the enjoyment of the honoree, the family, and others at the event, Asukile placed a crown on Ms. Wright’s head. He then led the audience in the Libations, a way of recognizing ancestors who have passed away. This is done by pouring water, an essential of life, on a plant each time a loved one’s name is called out.

“We believe that if you continue to call their [the ancestors’] names, they will never die.”

Reverend C.A. Hubbert, the pastor of her church, stated, “She was able to point many of our members to be a good example for their children.”

“She never missed giving. I have some boxes filled with her [tithing] envelopes and it was too many to carry,” he quipped. “She did more in that congregation to show that she was a faithful member to the Lord. She’s the kind of person who knew how to endure hard times.”

Reverend Hubbert quoted Frederick Douglass, a Black 19th-century abolitionist, who said, “Where there’s no struggle, there’s no progress.”

Continuing, Reverend Hubbert said, “Everybody wants to have a good crop, but nobody wants to do the digging. That’s how she was able to get her children to be so fine and capable in our society. She was there to make sure they had the right words to really be somebody. Her children are well-spoken of and that’s a testimony to her being a faithful follower of the Lord…not just because she listened to the sermons but because she acted them out. We need more people in our churches and in our communities, like Sister Eloise Wright. She’s here living, laughing, loving and enjoying her life. It’s a joy and a blessing to see someone like her. If you endure and keep working for the Lord, He will pay you. Keep living up to the good examples you see in your community.”

Finally, it was time for the honoree to share her words of wisdom.

Ms. Eloise remarked, “Keep working. The Lord is there if you just reach your hands out. May God bless you all. Keep things up and keep praying for me. I’m going to be here with the help of the good Lord. And I want to let you know that I can hear good, I can see good, I can speak good and most of all, I’ve got a good appetite.”

At various points in the evening, Dell Barnes, a talented local saxophonist, regaled the crowd with his beautiful music. Most touching was his rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which he dedicated to Queen Eloise, “the wind beneath our wings,” as he put it.

Also inspiring and blessing those at the event was Jacqueline Hart who sang several hymns.

Viennessee Timmons Black, a member of the Black Educators Caucus, paid tribute to Ms. Wright, who was one of the founding members of the group. She had these words to say: “If you’re in her [Ms. Wright’s] presence, even if it’s only for two minutes, you’re going to learn something.”

Reverend Clarence Green, president of Pastors United as One, spoke about some little-known Black inventors. For example, Frederick M. Jones, who held 61 patents, invented mobile refrigeration, making it possible to transport fresh produce around the country.

Another was Lewis Lattimore, who invented an improved carbon filament for electric light bulbs and an improved toilet system for railroad cars. Now, there’s an important invention! Then there is Lydia D. Newman, who devised the modern version of the hairbrush. It even had a button in the back that allowed the bristle holder to be removed so the bristles could be cleaned.

This uplifting tribute to an amazing centenarian, Eloise Larry Wright, was a fitting way to begin the concluding week of Black History Month. Her life and legacy serve as an inspiration to ALL people.

Author’s note: Some of the information in this article is from an article by Austyn Szempruch that appeared in the Sept. 9, 2024, issue of the Hernando Sun.