Last month I wrote a letter to Dollar Tree Stores decrying the abominable way they treated a former employee of theirs, Ms. Taneka Tally, who was murdered while working on the job:
Taneka Talley, above, slain in 2006. (Talley Family / Courtesy to The Chronicle)
I wrote asking them why were they treating Ms. Talley so horribly after she was shot and killed due to a racist crime, while in the employment of Dollar Tree, and why did the store and the company’s insurance company refuse to pay workmens compensation benefits to Ms. Talley’s 11-year-old son.
I went to my e-mail today, and lo, here is the surprise that I received—-a response from Dollar Tree Stores:
“Dear Ms. “Ann”:
“Thank you for your correspondence regarding Taneka Talley. Ms.Talley was
the victim of a despicable, senseless crime. While Dollar Tree was advised
that the claim was not covered under the state worker’s compensation law,
we felt that payment of these benefits was the right thing to do for
Taneka’s son. This matter has now been resolved to the satisfaction of the
family.”
Sincerely,
I really did not expect an answer from them, let alone a positive outcome of Ms. Talley’s death benefits paid to her young son. But, I am glad that the company saw to it to do the right thing. That in the end is what it is all about——always, do the right thing.
Many times, we often feel that our voices cannot and will not be heard. But, they sometimes are. Ms. Talley’s mother spoke up for Taneka and her son; obviously, so too, did many people around the country who were saddened by this young woman’s tragic death.
We all may need for someone to speak up for us, or for someone else, in the case of Ms. Talley, someone who cannot speak up for herself, or her son who could not speak for himself.
We are all our brother’s —–and our sister’s keeper.
Never underestimate the power of one.
Peace.
Ann
I never shopped at Dollar Tree and I won’t shop there ever after reading this sad tragedy involving the hardworking Black mom who was murdered on the job. They can forget my Black dollar.
Stephanie B.