{"id":13198,"date":"2016-03-29T21:22:22","date_gmt":"2016-03-30T01:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=13198"},"modified":"2016-03-29T21:37:59","modified_gmt":"2016-03-30T01:37:59","slug":"httpwww-thevalleyledger-comp1904-201","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=13198","title":{"rendered":"Lehigh Valley African American Women Leaders Speak Out!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday APRIL 24 & Monday 25, 2016<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stories That Shaped A Nation: A National Commemoration of the
\nWomen Icons of the March on Washington and the Civil Rights Movement<\/strong><\/p>\n

Announcing the Stories That Shaped A Nation 2016<\/em> theme<\/p>\n

\u201cImages of the Civil Rights Movement\u201d – that woke the nation to the imperatives of Civil Rights Movement.<\/p>\n

Among the attending 2016 Icons will be Family Representatives of 2015 Icon Mamie Till Mobley sharing the riveting images of Emmett Till – those images galvanizing the early civil rights movement in 1955.\u00a0 They will be joined by Family Representatives of the Four Little Girls – and the 2016 Icon Sarah Collins Rudolph, that Fifth Little Girl herself joining us – those images electrifying the 1963 civil rights movement.\u00a0 All will Icons having a private showing of the Allentown Art Museum exhibition\u00a0This Little Light of Mine\u00a0<\/em>images of Civil Rights Movement activities between 1963 and 1967<\/p>\n

Stories that Shaped a Nation<\/em>, a three-year national awareness campaign, was launched April 26 and 27, 2015, in Allentown, on Coretta Scott King\u2019s 88th<\/sup> birthday and comes to a close on April 27, 2017, on what would have been her 90th<\/sup> birthday. Events will take place at Miller Symphony Hall, The Freedom Memorial, the Allentown Art Museum, and The Center for Documentary Expression and Art (This Light of Ours Exhibit) in downtown Allentown, PA.<\/p>\n

Stories that Shaped a Nation<\/em> is a non-partisan, inclusive collaboration of the U.S. Library of Congress, PBS39, women leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus, women leaders and community organizations of the Lehigh Valley, and The Freedom Memorial of the Lehigh Valley<\/em>; the only memorial in the world featuring both Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King.<\/p>\n

Join Honorary Co-chair, U. S. Congresswoman Yvette Clark (NY-9), Chair of the Sojourner Truth Project of the Congressional Black Caucus and Renowned African-American poetess, Nikki Giovanni, in honoring 2016 Icons,<\/p>\n

U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-7) and family members of the \u201cFour Little Girl\u201ds plus twelve other Icons including Pulitzer Prizing winning Alice Walker in celebrating the women leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis three-year campaign launches The Freedom Memorial of the Lehigh Valley\u2019s<\/em> work to champion Civil Rights education with inclusion of important and relevant curriculum for school children,\u201d says Sam (Siobhan) Bennett, a co-founder of the Freedom Memorial located at 4th<\/sup> Street and Martin Luther King Drive, Allentown. \u201cIt is essential that Pennsylvania raise its current score of \u2018D\u2019, as cited by the Southern Poverty Law Center in 2014, as it pertains to Civil Rights education for school children in the commonwealth. We do so by celebrating women\u2019s vitally important presence in the history of the Civil Rights movement at this event, and by acknowledging those today who are actively playing a role in further shaping a nation.\u201d The Stories that Shaped a Nation<\/em> three-year campaign will expand the role of the Freedom Memorial<\/em> to champion Civil Rights education for all school children, in the Lehigh Valley and throughout Pennsylvania to the nation at large.<\/p>\n

Collaborating with the U.S. Library of Congress, Stories that Shaped a Nation<\/em> will continue work over the next two years to gather and enhance the stories of the women icons it has honored in 2015, and currently 2016 and 2017 to ensure their stories are preserved for posterity.<\/p>\n

(Note: The Freedom Memorial of the Lehigh Valley is also known as the Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King Memorial)<\/p>\n

Schedule of Events<\/strong><\/p>\n

SUNDAY April 24, 2016<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm<\/span> HEAR the ICONS with complimentary REFRESHMENTS for ICONS and GUESTS<\/p>\n

Miller Symphony Hall Theatre (Free Event): A panel where 2016 Icons, 2015 Icon Laureates and Honorary Co-Chairs will share their personal stories of the Civil Rights Movement with audience, moderated by<\/p>\n

Honorary Co-Chairs, renowned African-American poetess Nikki Giovanni and U. S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Sojourner Truth Legacy Project of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.<\/p>\n

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm<\/span> MARCH WITH ICONS<\/p>\n

Miller Symphony Hall to The Freedom Memorial (Free Event) A march open to the public where Icons and community march from Miller Symphony Hall to The Freedom Memorial.<\/p>\n

(23 minutes, 1.0 mile)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm<\/span> WORSHIP WITH ICONS at The Freedom Memorial<\/p>\n

(Free Event) A sunset memorial service permanently inducting the 2016 Icons at The Freedom Memorial. In addition, honoring the contributions of the labor movement to the Civil Rights Movement. (If inclement weather service held at St. James A. M. E. Zion Church immediately next door.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm<\/span> MEET the ICONS<\/p>\n

Miller Symphony Hall, Rodale Room (Ticketed Event) A light buffet dinner where community can meet and mingle with icons and Honorary Co-Chairs, collecting signatures from each in complimentary signature books. $35. and<\/p>\n

both paid events for $60. (table sponsorships and groups rates available)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

MONDAY April 25, 2016<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

9:00 am – 11:30 am<\/span> HISTORY WITH ICONS<\/p>\n

Allentown Art Museum (Private viewing) of \u201cThis Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement,\u201d for Icons, Icon Laureates, Honorary Co-Chairs, Partners and Keynote Speakers at the Allentown Art Museum. Buffet soul food breakfast served.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

12:00 – 1:30 pm<\/span> HONOR THE ICONS<\/p>\n

Miller Symphony Hall, Rodale Room (Ticketed Event) Community luncheon honoring the 2016 Icons and attending 2015 Icon Laureates. In addition, honoring the contributions of the labor movement to the Civil Rights Movement. Buffet soul food lunch served. $35. and both paid events for $60. (table sponsorships and groups rates available)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tickets Available:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Online at: stsan.eventbrite.com<\/a> or Call and Order Tickets: Nah-Tarsha Cherry: 484.547.7082<\/a> | Tomacene Nickens: 610.865.9379<\/a><\/p>\n

(Purchase tickets to both paid events for $60<\/em>.) <\/em>(Seating is Limited)<\/p>\n

2016 Women Icons<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Addie Mae Collins<\/strong>[1] Four Little Girls [Representative Attending 2017]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Denise McNair<\/strong>1,[2]<\/sup> Four Little Girls [Representative Attending 2016]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Carole Robertson<\/strong>1<\/sup> Four Little Girls<\/em><\/p>\n

Cynthia Wesley<\/strong>1<\/sup> Four Little Girls<\/em><\/p>\n

Sarah Collins Rudolph<\/strong>[3] Fifth Little Girl {Attending 2016]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell<\/strong> (AL-7) 3<\/sup> First African-America Congresswoman elected to the district of Montgomery, Birmingham and Selma {Attending 2016]<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

Claudette Colvin<\/strong> First bus segregation resistor asserted in Civil Rights Movement <\/em><\/p>\n

Diane Nash<\/strong> Civil Rights Activist<\/em><\/p>\n

Marian Wright-Edelman<\/strong> Founder of Children’s Defense Fund<\/em><\/p>\n

Alice Walker<\/strong> Civil Rights Activist and Pulitzer Prize winning author<\/em><\/p>\n

Charlayne Hunter Gault<\/strong> Civil Rights Activist and Journalist<\/em><\/p>\n

Toni Morrison<\/strong> Civil Rights Activist and Pulitzer Prize and Noble Prize winning author<\/em><\/p>\n

Rita Moreno<\/strong> Civil Rights Activist and First Hispanic to win Academy Award <\/em><\/p>\n

Joan Baez<\/strong> Hispanic Civil Rights Activist and performer of “We Shall Overcome” at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Attending Freedom Memorial Icon Laureates<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nikki Giovanni3 <\/sup>Civil Rights Activist, World Renowned African-American Poetess, 2015 Freedom Memorial Icon Laureate<\/em><\/p>\n

Airickca Gordon-Taylor for <\/em>Mamie Till-Mobley2<\/sup> Civil Rights Activist, Niece and CEO Mamie Till-Mobley Foundation <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Attending Honorary Co-Chairs<\/strong><\/p>\n

U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke3<\/sup>, (NY-9) Chair of the Sojourner Truth Legacy Project of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation<\/em><\/p>\n

Nikki Giovanni3<\/sup>, Civil Rights Activist, World Renowned African-American Poetess, 2015 Freedom Memorial Icon Laureate<\/em><\/p>\n

2015 Women Honorees<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honorary Co-chair U.S. Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11)<\/p>\n

Immediate Past Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus [Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honorary Co-chair U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-9)<\/p>\n

Chair Sojourner Truth Legacy, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation [Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honoree U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) [Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honoree Amelia Boynton Robinson [Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honoree Nikki Giovanni<\/p>\n

Honoree Elizabeth Eckford<\/p>\n

Honoree Paula Giddings [Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honoree Beverly Guy-She\ufb05all [Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honoree Ericka Huggins [Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honoree Frankie Muse Freeman<\/p>\n

Honoree Johnetta Betsch Cole<\/p>\n

Honoree Myrlie Evers-Williams<\/p>\n

Representative for Coretta Scott King, In Memoriam [Representative Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Representative for Rosa Parks, In Memoriam<\/p>\n

Representative for Ella Baker, In Memoriam<\/p>\n

Representative for Mamie Till-Mobley, In Memoriam [Representative Attendee 2015]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Representative for Ruby Dee, In Memoriam<\/p>\n

Representative for Dorothy Height, In Memoriam<\/p>\n

Representative for Dorothy Cotton, In Memoriam<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Commemoration Sponsors<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

National Penn Bank<\/p>\n

PPL<\/p>\n

Sponsors<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

PBS39 \u2013 Official Media Sponsor LV Print Center \u2013 Official Print Sponsor Renaissance Hotel \u2013 Official Accommodations Sponsor Lillian June Photography \u2013 Official Photography Sponsor Lee Design Services \u2013 Official Design\/PR Sponsor Lehigh Valley Black News Network \u2013 Official Marketing Sponsor<\/p>\n

Community Partners <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u25a0 Allentown NAACP<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Bethlehem NAACP<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Easton NAACP<\/p>\n

\u25a0 NAACP WIN Region 2<\/p>\n

\u25a0 This Is Your Life Association of the Lehigh Valley<\/p>\n

\u25a0 The Caring Place<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Lehigh Temple #930 Daughters of Elks<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Allentown YWCA<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Bethlehem YWCA<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley<\/p>\n

\u25a0 City of Allentown<\/p>\n

\u25a0 County of Lehigh<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Allentown Art Museum<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Allentown School District<\/p>\n

\u25a0 League of Women Voters Lehigh County<\/p>\n

\u25a0 League of Women Voters Northampton County<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Lehigh Valley Black News Network<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Lehigh Valley Delta\u2019s<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Lehigh Valley Masons<\/p>\n

\u25a0 LV Black News Network<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Miller Symphony Hall<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Women\u2019s Leadership Council of the United Way<\/p>\n

of the Greater Lehigh Valley<\/p>\n

\u25a0 United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum and<\/p>\n

Lehigh County Historical Society<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Lehigh Valley Dietetic Association (LVDA)<\/p>\n

\u25a0 PA Legislative Black Caucus<\/p>\n

\u25a0 Lehigh Valley Faces<\/p>\n

\u25a0 National Black MBA Association Philadelphia Chapter<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStories That Shaped A Nation\u201d Volunteer Leadership Team<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sharon Fraser and Siobhan \u201cSam\u201d Bennett, Stories Co-Chairs<\/p>\n

Raquel Phelps, Stories Volunteer Administrator<\/p>\n

Shirl Comick and Raquel Phelps, Co-Chairs, Operations and Logistics<\/p>\n

Dr. Joann Spencer, Jean Brown and Mary Ellen Griffin, Co-Chairs Icons<\/p>\n

Esther Lee and Jessica Lee, Co-Chairs PR, Marketing and Social Media<\/p>\n

Bonita Crowe and Nah-Tarsha Cherry,Co-Chairs Community Partners and Ticket Sales<\/p>\n

Tonya Trotter, Chair Volunteers<\/p>\n

Sharon Fraser, Dan Bosket and Siobhan \u201cSam\u201d Bennett, Co-Chairs Development<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Freedom Memorial Board Members<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sharon Fraser, Board President<\/p>\n

Nathan Kline, Board Vice-President<\/p>\n

Adewale \u201cWally\u201d Dosunmu, Board Secretary<\/p>\n

Siobhan \u201cSam\u201d Bennett, Board Treasurer<\/p>\n

Many thanks to Kevin Easterling, Freedom Memorial Founding Team member<\/p>\n

All \ufb01nancial gifts should be made payable to: The Freedom Memorial (United Way) Mail to: Sharon Fraser, 25 North 11th<\/sup> Street, Allentown, PA 18101.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[1] Deceased<\/p>\n[2] Attending Family Member or Other Representing<\/p>\n[3] Attending Icon<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For more information contact:<\/strong>
\n Esther M. Lee, President Bethlehem NAACP<\/strong>
\n Chair, Marketing and PR Committee<\/strong>
\n \u201cStories that Shaped a Nation\u201d
\nhttp:\/\/bethnaacp.org\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
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