To honor Black History Month, Greenwich Historical Society will present a series of events for driving greater understanding and appreciation of the Black American experience and more meaningful engagement in the community.
“Black history is an indelible part of our heritage as a nation and a community,” said Stephanie Barnett, associate director of public programs and community outreach for Greenwich Historical Society.
“Our programs are designed to share the stories of remarkable individuals and institutions that have worked towards racial justice and a more equitable society,” Barnett added. “We are grateful for the support of outstanding local organizations who are co-sponsors of several events, including The First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, YWCA Greenwich and the League of Women Voters of Greenwich.”
Constant Baker Motley. Photo courtesy of Greenwich Historical Society
The Trials of Constant Baker Motley: Film Screening and Lecture
Civil Rights Hero and NY Senator Met Prejudice with Elegance and Humor
February 7, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Location: First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, 1 West Putnam Ave., Greenwich
In partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich and YWCA Greenwich, the Historical Society welcomes Constance L. Royster for a discussion on the remarkable legacy of Connecticut native Constance Baker Motley, an unsung heroine of the civil rights movement whose impact will be honored by the U.S. Postal Service with a Forever Stamp. Royster’s remarks will be followed by a screening of the film The Trials of Constance Baker Motley (2019, 27 mins) and an audience Q&A. With archival footage and narration in Motley’s own voice, the film tells the story of a leader who met prejudice and danger with elegance and humor.
At the height of the civil rights movement, Motley joined the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in Mississippi stunning judges and juries in winning important cases. After the assassination of her friend Medgar Evers, she moved to N.Y. and became the first Black woman N.Y. State Senator, the first Black woman Manhattan Borough President and, with the backing of Lyndon Johnson, the first Black woman named to a federal judgeship.
Constance Royster is the niece and namesake of Judge Constance Baker Motley, and a recognized leader and advisor in the nonprofit fields of education, arts and culture, and religion. She was among the first women to attend Yale College when it went coed.
For more information about the lecture and to make a reservation: https://greenwichhistory.org/event/the-trials-film-screening-and-lecture/
Douglass Day 2024: The Correspondence of Frederick Douglass from the Library of Congress
National Transcribe-a-Thon Creates Digital Resources for Teaching Black History
February 14, 12 – 3 pm
Location: Greenwich Historical Society, 47 Strickland Rd., Cos Cob
also via event livestream
In partnership with the League of Women Voters of Greenwich, the Historical Society invites area residents to join this national transcribe-a-thon to learn more about Black history through the lens of Douglass Day, marking the birth of Frederick Douglass whose activism and legacy remains influential today. Organized by The Center for Black Digital Research, thousands of people will gather throughout the country to help create new and freely available digital resources on African American history.
Participants in Greenwich will join others nationwide in attempting to transcribe all 8,731 pages of Douglass’s correspondence from the Library of Congress in one day, including letters from and about Douglass to family members, activists, politicians, and organizations before and after his death in 1895, Douglass’s diary, family papers, newspaper clippings, handwritten partial draft of The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, speeches, articles and more.
The three-hour program includes a presentation on Frederick Douglass’s legacy, and dramatic readings from a speech Douglass made about black activism and the importance of colored conventions. The program will be live streamed.
For more information about the transcribe-a-thon and to make a reservation: https://greenwichhistory.org/event/douglass-day-2024/
Shining a Light Lecture: African American History in Connecticut with Jeffrey Fletcher
February 29, 6 – 7:15 pm
Location: via Zoom Webinar
Jeffrey Fletcher, founder of Stratford’s Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum, will kick off the first in a series of the Historical Society’s annual ‘Shining a Light’ lectures with a discussion of the various artifacts in the museum’s collection and their related historical contexts across periods of slavery, civil rights, and ongoing efforts for equity today.
His presentation will include highlights of the museum’s exhibition “Images of America/Challenges of the Badge” which provides a powerful visual display of what motivated the trailblazers who forged the way for equality and freedom for African Americans today. Designed to travel, the exhibit is a powerful reminder for Americans to never forget the violence and racial injustice which are a major part of the country’s history.
For more information about the lecture and to make a reservation: https://greenwichhistory.org/event/sal-african-american-history-in-ct/