Dear Source:
Ambassador Todman was known not only as a son of the Virgin Islands, but as a leader within our country paving the way for African Americans through the time of racial segregation; and opening doors to a new society. While attending the Foreign Service Institute in Virginia he experienced direct discrimination at a local café. The café did not allow blacks and whites to eat together, however, within the State Department they were learning together. Ambassador Todman knew something had to be done, and to make sure all State Department employees were treated equal they leased a half of the restaurant placed a partition up, and using the same staff for both leased and regular private customers they were able to eat lunch at the café.
Ambassador Todman knew all too well what it meant to be treated different and unfair and we see through his accomplishments and persistence to never back down on things you want out of life. Even though he was told by the State Department, “We’re terribly sorry, but we only can take one hundred percent identifiable Americans. And with that accent of yours, you don’t pass muster.” He trail blazed beyond that obstacle with confidence in himself and became the first Black American Ambassador to a Latin American country, the first Black Ambassador to a class -1 embassy and one of few to attain the rank of Career Ambassador.
While we mourn the loss of a great man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push limits and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.
May God continue to bless Ambassador Todman’s family and on behalf of Senator Graham and staff we thank him for his long, dedicated and distinguished service to our Virgin Islands and our country.
Senator Graham affirms this day of remembrance is the appropriate time to commemorate our history, and encourage a sense of pride amongst our people.
Sen. Clifford F. Graham, St. Thomas