Beulah Mae Donald
Some walk quietly among us and yet make significant contributions to their family, community, and their country. They are often not well known. They do not claim great wealth, titles, degrees, or high office. They often live simply and humbly. Until a compelling event asked for something more from them. And the task is extraordinary and often beyond what one might believe they can accomplish. I name them Inspirators. Because of their commitment, kindness, courage, and moral character their actions inspire us. Mrs. Beulah Mae Donald is an Inspirator.
Mrs. Donald was born on October 10, 1920, in Delisle Mississippi, deep in the Jim Crow South. And she was subject to the cruelties and mistreatment that was common for Black women during that time. She was a deeply devoted Christian who relied on her faith. Mrs Donald moved to Mobile Alabama where she was a single mother raising 7 children. And though there was very little money, it is a close family with deep loyalty to one another. Michael at 19 years old was Beulah’s youngest. He was known as kind, helpful, and polite. Much like his mother some would say.
By 1981 all of Mrs. Donald’s children except Michael had left home. But the family would meet every Friday for dinner. Michael’s older sister, on one of those occasions, asked him to go to the store for her. He agreed and left the house for a short walk to the corner store. He never returned.
His body was found the next day hanging from a tree in a mostly white Mobile neighborhood, badly beaten and mutilated. Some have called his lynching a second Emmett Till. On his way to the store, Michael was stopped by two men in a car asking for directions claiming they were lost. In an act of kindness, Michael agreed to help them. He was forced into their car at gunpoint. They took him to a remote area outside of Mobile where he was beaten and tortured. And then he was transported back to the city where he was later found. The perpetrators, members of the KKK, were caught and convicted. One was given the death penalty. Turned out one of the perpetrators was a 19-year-old like Michael. At his sentencing, he apologized and asked Mrs. Donald for forgiveness. And she readily granted it. She reports that she forgave him the day she found out what happened to her son.
But she did something more. She filed a civil suit against the KKK and won. Her successful lawsuit bankrupted one of the largest chapters of the Klan in the country. She became the owner of Klan property. She later disposed of the building that was KKK headquarters. Mrs. Donald died one year after her successful civil suit at her home in Mobile. She was 68 years old. Her children say she accomplished what she intended…to do God’s work.
It is difficult to imagine the strength and courage it took for Mrs. Donald to withstand the pain of her loss. Or the incredible grace she displayed in her act of forgiveness toward a young man, her son’s age. And then she found the fortitude to take on the Klan. Amid death threats and harassment by racists in the white community, Mrs. Donald persevered.
Were it not for the horrific murder of her son it is conceivable that we would never have heard of Mrs. Beulah Mae Donald. We would not have known of her courage, character, or incredible strength. She was not famous or materially wealthy. She did not live a life of ease and privilege. Although in my mind she demonstrated a level of moral integrity that is often difficult to find among those who claim ease, privilege, and authority. She was a person a hard worker, a dedicated mother who loved and raised her family. She served her community. And she lived her faith. Mrs. Donald's life is worthy of praise.
Ms. Donald’s story is the first to appear on our new Inspirator section. We want to include more stories of those who may not be well known but have made significant contributions to social justice and the common good with extraordinary and courageous acts. We invite you to identify people you believe are worthy of praise…those who inspire you and share them with us.
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