By: Cheryl Smith

DALLAS - Over the years, I have heard many a tale that has moved me to tears. I can remember listening intently as Mrs. Mamie Till Mobley shared how she traveled to Mississippi to identify the body of her 14-year old son, Emmett Till, who died a violent, brutal death at the hands of savages who claimed he whistled at a white woman.

As a young journalist, my heart went out to one mother as she urged parents to protect their children. She was the mother of Yusef, who along with almost 30 other young children was kidnapped and murdered in Atlanta, sparking a massive hunt for the perpetrator.

I tried to hold the tears inside as an emotional Joyce Ann Brown told me of her wrongful conviction and imprisonment for a crime she didn’t commit. It was extremely painful to hear her tell of her son committing suicide as she served nine years, five months and 24 days of imprisonment. Her eventual release only magnified the injustices she endured, as well as the lost moments.

Another journalist, Joyce King remained composed and I tried to also as I listened to her reliving the numerous hours of graphic testimony of how James Byrd Jr spent the last moments of his life. He died, chained to the back of a truck, leaving his body parts strewn along a path in Jasper, Texas.

Then 9/11 happened. Thousands dead and threats of more attacks from terrorists brought about fear for many. I recall telling a classroom of Texas Woman’s University journalism students that this would probably be one of the biggest stories of their lifetime—-only to be followed by the Tsunami and then Hurricane Katrina.

I will never forget the gut-wrenching pleas from the man who clung to his wife’s hand as the water and winds eventually separated them. The pain in his eyes was enough to move you to tears. He was one of many. Later his wife’s body was found.

Some have not found their loved ones. They still remain on the “Missing” list. And there are also the countless missing bodies.

Even today, almost a year later, I am moved to what I call my “silent tears” as I relive memories of people I talked to or visual images of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, only to be followed shortly after by Hurricane Rita.

My friend said, quoting a song, “maybe God is trying to tell us something.”

Another friend, activist Dick Gregory, said evidence proves much of the damage was “man-made.”

Immediately the Dallas Weekly staff, under the leadership of publisher James A. Washington, decided that this was a story that couldn’t be told in one week. It has been often said that the memory of African Americans is short. We get bothered by something, but give us a few days and it will be business as usual.

This would not be the case as long as the Dallas Weekly exists.

We would tell the stories, provide commentary, ask the tough questions and serve as a source of support and information. We put faces to the suffering and not a week has passed since that fateful day in August 2005, that we haven’t shared information about Hurricane Katrina and the survivors.

Unfortunately the response was very slow, embarrassingly slow. And still today, a year later, the question remains, “why was the government so slow in responding?”

It was called a Category Five Louisiana, so she took a special interest in the situation.

Under the directorship of Pastor Frederick D. Haynes III, the Katrina Relief Center was formed to provide around the clock services to Katrina evacuees.

Interestingly Ms. Webb was an ideal choice to lead the effort. Featured in at least two previous Dallas Weekly cover stories, she has a history of volunteerism with a number of entities, including the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, African American Museum and the Omicron Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

She continues to focus on social justice, social services and community service programs, which come in handy at the Center. Some wonder how this long-time employee of SBC, now AT&T, has the stamina to keep up with all she does, for the benefit of others.

"It's just adrenaline for something I like to do," explained Ms. Webb, who has also been tapped for international committee member for her sorority. Initiated in 1975, she will become a life member in October and stresses that community service is also a priority of the organization. "When it comes to helping people, I just like to do it."

Ms. Webb took a brief moment to talk as she prepared for a Katrina Survivors Service held at the church on Tuesday night, to "celebrate life" exactly one year after the levees broke and destroyed a place so rich in tradition and culture.

An emotional program was expected as hundreds were anticipated for this celebration and commemoration.

The service also paid tribute to outstanding contributors that included people who worked in the relief center for three weeks--around the clock--as well as others in the "village" like Dr. Beverly Mitchell Brooks of the Urban League and Reginald Gates of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce who utilized their resources to benefit survivors.

A graduate of Bishop College, Ms. Webb is a proud mother and wife, who has instilled a sense of "giving back" in her children. Supported by her husband, Charlie, Ms. Webb continues to take on the challenges that make her worthy of recognition.

It is important to note that Ms. Webb does not look at what she does as work. She enjoys what she does so much that others gravitate to her, basking in her pleasant personality and cheerful disposition, despite stressful situations that she is often dealing with.

"They call me the Energizer Bunny," she laughingly said. "It's a joy for me to help others.”

Always on the job, Pat was quick to point out that help is still available for evacuees at the Katrina Relief Center, which is open weekdays from 8:00a.m. until 5:00p.m. Friendship-West is located at 2020 W. Wheatland Road, Dallas. Note -- Continue reading as we share more stories of the valiant men, women and children who have stepped forward to assist those in need.