‘Songs for the People’
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and the Leadership of Song
On Sunday, Sept. 21, I thought I was simply chaperoning our treble choir to sing at Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena where our choir director, Dr. Zanaida Robles, is also musical director. Instead, I walked into a masterclass on leadership.
The service honored the bicentennial of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825–1911)—a poet, abolitionist, suffragist, and one of the fiercest leaders of her time. She believed words could shape the world. And she used hers—on the page and from the podium—to fight for freedom, dignity, and justice.
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Presenters that morning gave Harper’s biography and when Zanaida and debriefed them in class this week, the kids remembered some cute key facts. Born to free Black parents in Maryland, Harper had to quit school when she was 13 but went to work in a bookstore so she could continue her studies — bookstore work for her at that time not only included reading everything she could get her hands on, but also cooking, cleaning, and childcare. Harper was America’s first Black woman poet, novelist, and short story author. A lot of firsts for someone I’d never heard of.
The Bel Canto students sang two choral pieces featuring her poetry:
“Songs for the People” (music by Jacob Narverud)
“The Crocuses” (music by Joanna Mills)
Hearing Harper’s words carried by young voices was unforgettable. It was a reminder that leadership is not just about what you say—it’s about creating songs, stories, and spaces that others can carry forward.
And that’s exactly what I witnessed all morning.
Neighborhood Church and Rev. Dr. Omega Burckhardt modeled courageous leadership through truth-telling. The church’s Truth and Reconciliation committee chair shared about renaming a space once dedicated to a member with a reprehensible history. Rev. Burckhardt’s sermon lifted Harper’s example, showing how faith and justice belong together.
And as if all that weren’t enough, the service also included Share the Plate, where the offering goes to a local cause. That Sunday it was Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley, whose philanthropy chair gave a stirring update. She ended with the words: “We will not quit. We will fight.” The sanctuary erupted in applause. It was another reminder that leadership takes many forms—on the page, in the pulpit, in the classroom, and in the public square. Standing up for healthcare, dignity, and choice is leadership too.
Dr. Zanaida Robles showed me once again why her choirs are so extraordinary: her fearless leadership. She is one of the gentlest leaders I know, and because she leads with clarity and courage, her singers rise to the occasion. This year alone, I get to chaperone with her as we take them on seven field trips—including Costa Rica over spring break—because Zanaida knows young people grow when their voices are heard in the world.
Leadership is legacy. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper left us words that still stir. Rev. Burckhardt and Neighborhood Church are reshaping a community with integrity. Zanaida is shaping the next generation through music, fearlessness, and grace.
What legacy of leadership are you building—and how will you carry it forward this week?
