DR. ENID CURTIS PINKNEY: The revered community stalwart’s life was celebrated Aug. 10 at Bethel Apostolic Temple in Miami, with proclamations and resolutions honoring her life and achievements. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID SNELLING

Miami– Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney was a trailblazer, educator, advocate for social justice, historian and preservationist who saved the historic Hampton House hotel from being torn down to make way for new residential development.

Pinkney stood in front of a bulldozer telling the workers "you have to get past me first."

Her defiant stance and efforts preserved the landmark where famous Black celebrities stayed during the 1950s and 1960s while visiting Miami because segregation banned them from hotels in Miami Beach.

She was an icon who touched the lives of many people including her students and lawmakers such as Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Miami City Commission Chairwoman Christine King and Miami Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

They called Pinkney a mentor who helped guide them through difficult times by encouraging them to see the brightness in every dark cloud.

Even her opponents came to love her for her tenacity and courage, while Pinkney’s admirers put her on a pedestal and vowed to continue the work that she started.

Pinkney’s life was celebrated during her homegoing service Aug. 10 at Bethel Apostolic Temple in Miami, where thousands of people including local dignitaries paid tribute to a woman so revered that she received a pile of proclamations and resolutions honoring her life and achievements.

She died on July 18 at 92 years old.

Pinkney also received a proclamation from Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee for 2024.

The morning was filled with songs, prayers and speeches, as WPLG Channel 10 news anchor Calvin Hughes was the Master of Ceremonies. He said he was the master of ceremonies for Pinkney’s 90th and 91st birthday celebrations. Her family asked him to emcee her homegoing service.

Hughes called Pinkney a good friend and said he was honored to interview her on numerous occasions.

"What a wonderful lady," Hughes said. "We love her tenacity and she made sure that our Black history was preserved. Today is a celebration for a wonderful lady who left a legacy we can live up to."

Pinkney was born in Miami on October 15, 1931. She was a first-generation Miamian as her family was from The Bahamas and grew in Overtown.

Pinkney graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and went on to Talladega College. She earned a master’s degree from Barry University and an honorary doctorate from Florida International University.

Pinkney was a social worker from 1953 to 1955, after which she worked in the Dade County Public School System until she retired as assistant principal of South Miami Middle School in 1991.

She was the first Black to serve on the Dade Heritage Trust and later became the group’s president.

Wilson, by video, said Pinkney was a fierce advocate for the community who dedicated her life to education, history, social justice and preservation.

Wilson, who is also of Bahamian descent, said Pinkney fought to preserve Bahamian history in its cultural backbone of Coconut Grove by leading an effort to build the Frederica Roberts Bahamian Museum of Arts.

The museum, which is located in the Black West Grove, also known as Little Bahamas, is dedicated to celebrating the Bahamian presence and contributions in South Florida including being the first settlers in Miami before the city incorporated in 1896.

"She was instrumental in so many of our efforts," Wilson said. "Dr. Pinkney’s spirit will continue to inspire us."

Wilson said Pinkney’s achievements and contributions are now preserved as a Congressional Record and can be found in the Library of Congress.

Wilson’s Chief of Staff Alexis Schneider presented Pinkney’s family with the document and a proclamation.

"Not only her kids, but her grandkids, great grandkids, and great, great grandkids can go to Washington and read the record of Congress about her life achievements," she said.

King also presented Pinkney’s family with a proclamation and a key to the City of Miami in her honor.

King said Pinkney was her mentor who encouraged her through difficult times during her tenure in political office.

Pinkney paid her a visit after undergoing dialysis treatment to lift her spirits.

"She called me while on dialysis and came straight from there to tell me ‘You’re doing a good job,’" King said. "She told me to keep my head up. She didn’t have to do that. She was the kindest person I have ever met. Her loss is felt in my heart. Seeing all of you here shows what a beautiful soul she was."

Levine Cava said Pinkney reshaped the life of Miami-Dade County.

She said she first knew Pinkney when the mayor was previously a social worker and attorney for immigrants but noticed the impact she made when Levine Cava entered the political arena.

"When I moved into county government, I saw the impact she made with her efforts with the Hampton House and preservation Black history," said Levine Cava, who also presented Pinkney’s family with a proclamation. "She was a leader in those fights."

Levine Cava said she was inspired by Pinkney’s tenacity and her kindness.

"She made me feel very special and she made other people feel very special," she said. "So, we must do our best to carry on her legacy."

State Sen. Shervin Jones from West Park said Pinkney would never let Black folks forget about their heritage.

"She always ended her speeches with ‘Don’t ever forget where we came from,’" Jones said. "She will not let you forget where you came from."

Jones said Pinkney was the heart and soul of the community.

"Dr. Pinkney’s impact transformed lives by the lives she touched," Jones said.

Pinkney also received proclamations from the Booker T. Washington High Alumni Association, Talladega College South Florida Alumni Association and Miami Edison High Alumni Association.

The latter school honored Pinkney for spearheading efforts to get Black students admitted to the institution when it was an all-white school during segregation.

Pastor Gaston Smith of Friendship Baptist Church said Pinkney was a pillar in the community.

"Thank you for what you meant to all of us," Gaston said. "Thank you for what you meant to the community. Thank you for what you meant to your children and education. Thank you, Dr. Pinkney, for touching our lives."