The YWCA Pekin’s Coalition for Equality is proud to have sponsored its 33rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration for students in Pekin District 108 and for students in Rankin District 98. Newly structured for 2026, the Coalition for Equality brought its program to the schools. On Tuesday, January 20, Garry Moore, a renowned broadcast journalist, music teacher, theater director, playwright, and storyteller, employed entertaining and powerful stories and interactive music to honor Dr. King’s lessons of non-violence, self-respect, and respect for all. Garry visited Washington Middle School, Wilson Middle School, Altman Primary School, and Willow Primary School. On Wednesday, January 21, Irene Lewis-Wimbley, Director of the Southside Community Center, was the featured presenter for students at Starke Primary School, Jefferson Primary School, Dirksen Primary School, and C.B. Smith Primary School. Through interactive activities and music, Irene emphasized the importance of treating everyone with respect, dignity, and equality, important tenets of Dr. King’s teachings. And, on Thursday, January 22, students at Rankin School enjoyed a presentation from Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, local author and illustrator of children’s books. Charnelle read from her book Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar and, like Garry and Irene, helped students appreciate the power of music as it connects to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In addition to the presentations, all interested classroom teachers received a book with lesson plans to be used in their classrooms, and all participating students received free books and snacks. 

The YWCA’s Coalition for Equality thanks its committee of Amy Belt, Carol Burke, Connie Disney, Laurel Pollentier, and Maureen Naughtin for its work planning this event. And, the Coalition for Equality thanks all of its most generous sponsors as listed below.

• Connie Disney 
• Dirksen Congressional Center 
• Ann Turner
  
• KMI Kriegsman Warehouses
  
• McDaniels Marketing
  
• Pekin Chamber of Commerce
  
• Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes
  
• Attorney Val Moehle
  
• Tom Teijido & Maureen Naughtin