Return to Current Issue

Aptly titled, Gale's column has always pushed organizers and leaders to think of their "next move." For 27 years, six columns a year, Gale talked about the continuous need to push, prod, and to "go get the crooks." Whether it was from identifying an issue, pushing leaders to take action, envisioning the steps to victory or celebrating a much-needed win, Gale never let her focus waver from the people in the neighborhoods struggling every day to make their lives and their communities better.
And so Gale's work has left an impact on our lives and a legacy for us to continue on. In a fitting farewell to Gale, the following are reflections from two members of National People's Action leadership team and Shel Trapp, co-founder of the National Training and Information Center, responding to the question, "What would Gale want your next move to be?"

Gale would want us to stay together and keep moving forward. The issues keep changing, but they always come from the bottom up. And we'll be what we've always been - the voice of the people. Because NPA provides the means for people to coming together and work together. If it didn't already exist, we'd have to create it.
Brenda La Blanc: NPA leader for 28 years
Leader for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement

Top

NPA symbolizes to me: unity. There are many different people with one common goal - to make our communities better and safer. There's strength in numbers. We have people from all different part of the country and with different backgrounds, but with the same determination to go back and make change in our neighborhoods.
Gale would want "The Next Move" to keep the fight going. She may be gone, but the issues are still here. I want to continue where Gale left off. Pick up the mantel and keep kicking ass.
Inez Killingsworth: NPA leader for 28 years
Leader for Eastside Organizing Project, Cleveland, OH.

Top

Gale always looked for the "next move" and I learned that from her very early in my organizing career. After an eight month organizing drive we were sure that we had the votes we needed from the Chicago Board of Education to pass a resolution to bus 500 Black kids to the Northwest side of Chicago, back in 1966. One of our lock-in votes became confused and voted the wrong way. We lost the vote.

The bus ride back to the community was very silent. When we got back to the drop off place for the bus load of people, I quickly got into my car and drove to the organizations watering hole, with the intent of getting totally smashed.

Deep into my third drink, the bartender shouted out, "Is there a Shel Trapp here? There is a very angry woman who wants to talk with you."

Getting on the phone, Gale screamed at me, "Get your ass over here or your fired."

Gale had not let the folks from the losing event go home, but had gathered them in the church basement. By the time I got there she had convinced them that there was a way the Board of Education could call an emergency meeting. With the backing of the group she called the Superindent of Schools and we had an emergency meeting of the Board of Education for next week. We won that vote and 500 Black kids got bussed out of classrooms of 75 to classrooms of 25.

Because Gale was always ready to take "The Next Move."

And that is a lesson she has taught us all.

NTIC and NPA never revolved around just one person. It never did and it never will. NTIC and NPA got to where are at today because there was a team. So now the team has to carry on. It's like a relay race and Gale has passed the baton.
Shel Trapp
NTIC Co-founder
Former NTIC Staff Director