Voices of Courage Resound During Women's History Month

Is the celebration of women limited to one month?  Absolutely not!  However, March deemed National Women’s History Month is a pristine opportunity to elevate the spirit, lives and deeds of the female gender.   It is a perfect time to attend events highlighting achievements of women.

I am honored to present my national show Voices of Courage:  Profiles of 19^th Century African-American Women at the Willingboro Public Library on March 26th at 2:00 p.m.   The interactive performance is designed for audiences 10 and up.  

Did you know the poplar version of Sojourner Truth’s historical “Ain’t I  A Women” was written 12 years later by the southern white women who presided over the Women’s Convention where the original speech was orated?   In Voices of Courage, story lovers hear an account of Sojourner's true delivery reported at the end of the convention.  The audience sings the lyrics written by Sojourner for the Buffalo Soldiers and chants courting songs from the lifetime of Ida B. Wells.  Voices swell in a traditional verse of This Little Light of Mine when Mary McCleod Bethune stands up to the Klu Klux Klan.  Other women exalted during this program are Maria W. Stewart, Harriet Tubman, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Cathy Williams and, Mary Church Terrell.

In sharing footsteps along the journey of these voices of courage from the past, it is my hope that we are fearless in raising our voices today.

Other Programs this Month:

Black Women and Folklore Tradition Bearers of Our Community”

Opportunities to celebrate Women’s History are rich in our region.  In Philadelphia, On March 19, 2011, my colleague and dear friend, Caroliese Frink Reed, Master storyteller and instructor will present an enriching three hour workshop at the Wynnefiled Library, 54^th and Overbook Avenue at 1:00 p.m.

For more Women’s History Month events visit:  http://philly360.visitphilly.com/news/2011/02/28/philly-360-legacy-presents-top-picks-for-women-s-history-month-in-philadelphia.