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Speakers at Aretha Franklin’s funeral took the opportunity to demand respect for black America. Amid the gospel, personal reflections and grief were calls to register and turn out to vote in November’s midterm elections. Many African-Americans were upset when US President Donald Trump referred to Franklin as “someone who worked for me” upon her death.
U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, speaking at Aretha Franklin's funeral, said the Queen of Soul taught women valuable lessons throughout her life. "There are so many accolades and amazing accomplishments that Aretha Franklin has received throughout her life," Lawrence said. "I want to talk about a gift she gave me. I want to talk to every woman in this room.
Aretha Franklin was laid to rest Friday following a funeral in Detroit, the city she called home for most of her life. The 10 a.m. service, originally set to conclude at 3 p.m., ran more than two and a half hours behind schedule and was broadcast on TV and streamed live online. Below, are updates from the service: In the early 2000s, Rep.
Barack and Michelle Obama did not attend the Friday funeral of Aretha Franklin in Detroit, but called her "one of a kind" in a statement read by the Rev. Al Sharpton. “From a young age, Aretha Franklin rocked the world of anyone who had the pleasure of hearing her voice," the former president and first lady said in a message delivered on stage at Greater Grace Temple.
Soon after the doors closed Tuesday for the first public viewing for Aretha Franklin, more than 700 mourners gathered to offer another farewell. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members hosted a memorial service at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to commemorate the singer.
Tickets to the free Aretha Franklin tribute concert sold out within five minutes of becoming available, marking the first event in a series of week-long tributes, concerts, and visitations culminating in the Queen of Soul's funeral. Fans can pay their respects to Franklin while she lies in the Charlies H.
It took 42 years for the United States to ratify the 19th Amendment, enshrining a woman’s right to vote. Between the time it was first introduced to Congress in 1878 and when it actually became law in 1920, the Panama Canal was built, nine states joined the union and World War I occurred.
Security will be extra tight for the Aug. 31 funeral of Aretha Franklin, as the list of dignitaries expected to attend grows. Among those confirmed is former President Bill Clinton. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama also were invited, but as of Friday afternoon, they had not confirmed. Bishop Charles H.
Former President Bill Clinton will speak at Aretha Franklin’s funeral next Friday, Aug. 31, at the Greater Grace Temple, according to her publicist Gwendolyn Quinn. Other political figures confirmed by Quinn who will speak at the Celebration of Life at Greater Grace Temple are former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, U.S. Rep.
A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers is introducing legislation to honor Aretha Franklin posthumously with the Congressional Gold Medal. The “Queen of Soul,” who died last week at 76, “instilled hope, uplifted generations, and changed the lives of millions,” according to the bill introduced Tuesday by Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California and Republican Sen.