The Greenwich Historical Society together with LWV Greenwich will host award-winning reporter and acclaimed author of The Woman’s Hour, Elaine Weiss, to discuss her new book, Spell Freedom, on May 6 at 6:00 pm the Historical Society Barn.
Author Elaine Weiss
Long listed for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Non-Fiction, the book charts the efforts of four ordinary citizens in the South as they established secret schools to help Black citizens overcome onerous Jim Crow laws and register to vote.
The conversation will be moderated by academic leader and author Susan Herbst, who is President Emeritus of the University of Connecticut where she currently serves as University Professor of Political Science.
Spell Freedom tells the story of a group of largely uncelebrated heroes of the civil rights movement and shows how they laid the foundation in the mid-1950s for the success of the Civil and Voting Rights Acts of the mid-1960s. Their secretive efforts helped establish over 900 citizenship schools across the South, while also nurturing a generation of activists – many of whom were women – trained in community organizing, political engagement, and the tactics of peaceful resistance.
We hope you will join us for this inspirational story of how an unlikely group of people overcame the powerful forces arrayed against them to triumph in the face of injustice. Space is limited. Free with registration. Register at greenwichhistory.org/event/hidden-heroes/
A book signing will follow the discussion. Registrants will be have the opportunity to purchase books at the event from Diane’s Books or before the event from Diane’s Books.
Registrants can also submit questions for the author in advance by sending them to Lauren Ackerley at the Greenwich Historical Society at [email protected]
Greenwich Historical Society is a nationally accredited private, nonprofit organization founded in 1931. Located in the historic Cos Cob waterfront neighborhood, the campus includes the circa 1730 National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House and a museum which houses changing and permanent exhibitions, library and archives, and a museum store. Greenwich Historical Society educates thousands of school children annually and connects visitors to the history of this globally influential community through exhibitions, lectures, programs, and events.
LWV Greenwich builds citizen participation in the democratic process, studies key community issues in an unbiased manner, and seeks positive solutions to public policy issues through education. As a non-partisan civic organization, LWV Greenwich does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.