To the editor:
For 30 years, Grace Plater was our next-door neighbor and ultimately our very dear friend.
The previous owners apologized to us for selling their house to a black family. How lucky we were to share the following years with this very remarkable woman. We were soldiers in her army as she did battle with racism and injustice.
Grace reached out and touched the lives of hundreds of people. She organized The Concerned Black Parents and Citizens of South Brunswick so that she could confront racism in the township school district.
Her home was open to anyone who needed counseling, a friendly voice or a hot and delicious meal. (On any given Sunday, when her driveway was filled with cars, Gene would casually walk in the front door just as dinner was being served. It was my introduction to soul food at its very best).
A steady stream of students, parents, township officials, noted authors (Claude Brown), famous musicians (Dizzy Gillespie) and former inmates of Trenton State Prison who were influenced by Grace when she worked as the prison librarian all came to her home.
Her home was filled with treasures a piano, an organ and framed testimonials to her achievements as a fighter for human rights. We moved away but maintained a bond of friendship that has reached 40 years with a woman whose indomitable spirit always burned bright.
Grace refused to surrender to the infirmities of old age her fighting spirit and sharp mind remained with her to the end.
Grace called Alice at 6 p.m. the night before she died. She sounded wonderful. In fact, she was checking up on us to see if we were OK. Her voice and laughter were strong and her mind was clear and alert.
Our friendship with Grace Plater will be treasured for as long as we live.
Dear friend: "a lute continua" the struggle continues.
Alice and Gene Glazer
Bloomfield

