Saundra Graham

As we look toward the end of the year, it is customary to also reflect on those we lost and their impact on our community. This year, that reflection was even more special for me because my aunt Jean McGuire was one of the Museum of African American History’s (MAAH) latest Living Legend honorees.

During a funeral held at the Harvard Memorial Church, an extensive assembly of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild of former Cambridge city councilor and state representative Saundra Graham gathered to celebrate her life and legacy alongside her friends, former colleagues in government and others impacted by her work.

Harvard was conducting its sedate commencement exercises in 1970 when a young community activist from a nearby section of Cambridge mounted the stage, bullhorn in hand, with 20 other protesters.