Photos by HughE Dillon
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) President and CEO Greg Deavens served as honorary Liberty Bell ringer for the 36th annual ceremony to open the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. observance.
The Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Non-Violence invited Deavens to ring the Liberty Bell. He joins past honorary bell ringers such as Mrs. Rosa Parks, General Colin Powell and the Honorable Martin Luther King III. Mrs. Coretta Scott King called for the Liberty Bell to be rung each year to open the national observance of her husband’s legacy.
“Independence and our Blue Cross Blue Shield Colleagues across America have pledged to reduce and work to eliminate the racial disparities in health care. We hope and intend to honor Dr. King’s memory in the effort… All across the nation, we celebrate a leader who challenged us to focus on the ‘fierce urgency of now,’” said Deavens.
Earlier in the day Deavens spoke at the 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service opening event at Girard College. This year’s theme was Combatting Racism and Building Community.
The Global Citizen 365 Day of Service included vaccination clinics, flu shots, COVID-19 testing, PPE distribution, health and wellness activities, and education activities for children. Independence is a proud sponsor of the event.
