By Sharon Coolidge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

When attorney Fred Gray returned home to Montgomery, Ala., in 1954 after attending law school in Ohio, he said he was "determined to destroy everything segregated that I could find."

And he didn't waste much time: Gray represented Rosa Parks when the black woman was arrested in 1955 after refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. He successfully represented freedom marchers in Alabama, who sought protection as they marched from Selma to Montgomery, which subsequently led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Years later, Gray initiated action that resulted in a formal apology by the United States government for the wrongs done to surviving participants of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. For 40 years, 399 black men were denied syphilis treatment and deceived by officials of the United States Public Health Service as part of a study.

But Gray said the civil rights struggle is far from over. He urged about 300 people who attended his speech Friday at the Heart-to-Heart Racial Justice Breakfast to continue to work toward desegregation.

"In fixing the problems of the nation, we all have some major roles to play," said Gray, 73. "I particularly say to persons of color... and elected officials ... the ones who come up the economic ladder need to realize others made sacrifices for them to be there.

"Once you get into the position you have, you have to realize you can't do business like everyone else. You need to help others," he said. "We must use our resources and our personal efforts to mentor others so they can enjoy some of the prosperity we have."

Organizers of Friday's event thought that a Tuesday fire that destroyed Gray's downtown Tuskegee office would keep Gray from speaking. The fire destroyed many of Gray's historical documents from the civil rights era.

But he said the fire didn't stop him from sharing his experiences.

His visit was eagerly awaited, said Charlene Ventura, president and CEO of the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, which co-sponsored the breakfast with the Cincinnati Bar Association.

"His cases changed the American landscape," Ventura said. "It was important for Cincinnati to hear about his work from him."

"I wanted to hear his message - more people need to hear it," said Edgar Smith, 42, of Liberty Township. "He provides continued perspective."

"We need diversity," said Kathy Jorgensen-Finley, 47, of Springfield Township. "It's what makes our country good."

E-mail scoolidge@enquirer.com