Extraordinary African American Women Celebrated in Interactive Exhibit
BIRMINGHAM, AL., July 21, 2009—It would be difficult to imagine the course of American history without them: Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad; Rosa Parks and her brave refusal in 1955 to relinquish her seat on a Montgomery city bus; Fannie Lou Hamer and her courageous stand at a 1968 political convention. These stories of courage and commitment are among the many featured in Freedom’s Sisters; a collaboration between Ford Motor Company, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES). The interactive exhibit showcases 20 extraordinary African American women, inviting visitors to bear witness to some of the most important moments in our nation’s history.
"From Mary McLeod Bethune to Dorothy Height, the amazing women of Freedom’s Sisters inspire and motivate all Americans to build a better world,” said Pamela Alexander, director, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Ford is deeply proud to present this important, educational and uplifting exhibition.”
Activities in support of the exhibition begin Friday, July 24 with a Black Tie Gala for exhibition supporters. Honored guests include
"How wonderful it is to return home for the Freedom's Sisters exhibit,” said Sonia Sanchez, world renowned poet, and Freedom's Sister. "I am so glad that
The exhibition has been embraced by a prestigious National Committee of Honor. Members of the Freedom's Sisters Committee of Honor include Quincy Jones, Mae Jemison, General Colin Powell, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Cathy Hughes, Sheila Johnson, Elizabeth Eckford, Johnetta Cole and a wide range of national dignitaries, reflecting the exhibition's broad appeal.
“These 20 women left not a footnote but a footprint on American history,” said SITES Director
Organized around four themes – “Dare to Dream,” “Inspire Lives” “Serve the Public” and “Look to the Future” – Freedom’s Sisters is designed especially as an educational tool targeting students. Historical simulations and interactive displays are being set up to drive home messages and meanings central to each woman’s life.
Freedom's Sisters
Ella J. Baker Barbara Jordan
Constance Baker Motley Mary McLeod Bethune
Shirley Chisholm
Mary Church Terrell Sonia Sanchez
Septima Poinsette Clark Coretta Scott King
Kathleen Cleaver Betty Shabazz
Myrlie Evers-Williams Harriet Tubman
Fannie Lou Hamer C. Delores Tucker
Dorothy Height Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Charlayne Hunter-Gault Ida B. Wells
ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford operates. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2009 and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, Ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.community.ford.com.
ABOUT
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is home to the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. It is a nationally recognized educational and research resource and one of the top cultural attractions in the
ABOUT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION TRAVELING EXHIBITION SERVICE (SITES)
SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside
ABOUT
In honor of the courageous struggle against racism and segregation in the South, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) was erected as a monumental guidepost for reconciliation and equality for all mankind. Its mission is to promote civil and human rights worldwide through education. Its vision is to be the premier educational center for understanding, healing and respect for all. Since opening in 1992, the Institute has used multimedia to enhance its facility while telling the story of the American Civil Rights Movement. In January 2009, BCRI completed the first major renovation of its museum galleries by expanding its story beyond the
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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Program Schedule:
JULY
July 25 10:00 am
Freedom’s Sisters exhibition opens to public—a collaboration between Smithsonian Institute Touring Exhibition Service (SITES), Ford Motor Company Fund, and Cincinnati Museum Center, this exhibition brings to life 20 African American women, from key 19th-century historical figures to contemporary leaders who fought for equality for all Americans—free and open to the public through October 4, 2009—call (866) 328-9696, ext. 234 or visit the BCRI Web site at www.bcri.org for more information
Freedom’s Sisters Essay Contest opens for students in grades 4-8—call (866) 328-9696, ext. 234 or visit the BCRI Web site at www.bcri.org for more information
July 30 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm
The Women Gather II Spoken Word Performance—featuring local women writers presenting poetry to highlight the women featured in Freedom’s Sisters
July 31 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm
Heritage Alive! “Community of Readers”—family literacy program featuring books focusing on the women from the Freedom’s Sisters exhibition
AUGUST
August 1 10:00 am until 12:00 pm Freedom’s Sisters Teacher Workshop—introducing area teachers to the many facets of the Freedom’s Sisters exhibition—the workshop includes brainstorming sessions about lesson planning and a tour of the exhibition—workshop runs from 10:00 am until12:00 pm—Registration required—call (866) 328-9696, ext. 246
August 13 6:16 pm until 8:16 pm
Sixteenth & Sixth Adult Series: “Earrings Under the Beret”—after-hours event focusing on the Freedom’s Sisters exhibition and highlighting the role of women during the Black Power Movement and the specific influence of Kathleen Cleaver, Sonia Sanchez and Betty Shabazz—this is a special Sixteenth & Sixth and does not require an admission fee
August 15 10:00 am until 12:00 pm
Freedom’s Sisters Teacher Workshop 2—this session is a repeat of the August 1 workshop—as with the first session, the workshop includes brainstorming sessions about lesson planning and a tour of the exhibition-- workshop runs from 10:00 am until12:00 pm—Registration required—call (866) 328-9696, ext. 246
SEPTEMBER
September 1 10:00 am until 11:00 am
Heritage Alive!—a literacy program recommended for grades K-3 offered every Tuesday beginning September 1 through October 26, 2009 at 10 am—texts used for this program focus
on one or more of the women featured in the Freedom’s Sisters exhibition—reservations required—call (866) 328-9696, ext. 228
September 3 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm
Brown Bag Lunch Series: Focusing on Freedom’s Sisters and the Civil Rights Movement—this program addresses the lives of civil rights pioneers featured in the Freedom’s Sisters exhibition: Ella Jo Baker, Septima Poinsette Clark, Fannie Lou Hamer and
September 9
Freedom’s Sisters Essay Contest—last day to submit entries
September 24 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm
A Town Hall Meeting on Women’s Issues—hosted by BCRI and involving several community organizations
OCTOBER
October 4 5:00 pm
Freedom’s Sisters exhibition closes to the public
Listed above are public programs offered at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in conjunction with the exhibition Freedom’s Sisters. For additional information, call (866) 328-9696, ext. 211.
