DALLAS -- Hundreds gathered at a North Dallas church on Friday to celebrate the life of a prominent Dallas civil rights activist.
To friends, family and colleagues alike, Kathlyn Gilliam was a true trailblazer.
Funeral services were held at the Christian Chapel Temple of Faith in North Dallas.
Gilliam was remembered for a life spent fighting for equality, whether it be race, gender or for the underprivileged students of the Dallas Independent School District, her true passion.
Gilliam spent 23-years on the Dallas Independent School Board, becoming its first black female board member back in the 70's and later becoming its first female black president.
At today's funeral service, Dallas Police Chief David Brown told News 8 he was a DISD student who benefited from Gilliam's dogged fight to desegregate schools.
“I was bused during that year, 73, and she was on the forefront of leading the desegregation charge,” said Chief Brown.
Brown was bused in sixth grade, but wasn't in the 7th grade. Now, as a Chief of Police, he can recognize the impact Gilliam's fight has had on him and so many more students growing up since.
Former DISD attorney Eric Moye said Gilliam made a difference, despite the obstacles of her time, because she cared.
“She cared about the education for all children in Dallas and nothing else mattered when measured against that,” said Moye.
Her good friend and former Dallas City Councilwoman Diane Ragsdale said it is up to all of us to carry on the legacy she left behind, to continue fighting for the rights of the underprivileged and under served.
Gilliam is a Texas native. She leaves behind her daughter Constance Ann Harris and her son Chris Gilliam, a 20 year veteran of the Dallas Police Department.
Gilliam died last Sunday at her South Dallas home after a 13-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was 81.
E-mail cvega@wfaa.com
