Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou and now Mrs. Ruby Dee. It has been a painful 6 months full of losses of our true queens and kings. I was a fan of Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis all of my life. Their presence onscreen in Pearlie Victorious, A Raisin In The Sun, Jungle Fever and Do the Right Thing have all made for rich cinematic stories that tell the lives of real people. She had over a hundred movies to her credit with on-screen roles that date back to the 1940's. She experienced a lot over her career on stage and screen and was still as sharp and spunky when I saw her here in Harlem about five years ago sharing her insight and wisdom about community activism. Always dignified, poised and beautiful we were honored to have had her for so long. My only comfort is that she is again with her lover, husband, friend, comrade, and fellow artist, Ossie Davis.
