March 20, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291
Calvert Library is celebrating inspiring African American women of Calvert County this women’s history month on Tuesday, March 28. Hosted by Dr. Marsha Plater, the event begins at 6:30pm with musical entertainment by Joan and Roland Plater, refreshments provided by the Calvert County Commission for Women and a chance to peruse Delphine Siggers-Williams’s exhibit “Forty Blossoms from the Bouquet,” a tribute exhibit of forty portraits of prominent African American women from Calvert County who have made significant contributions to the county and society at large. The reception will be followed by living history presentations by Kaitlyn Plater (eighth grader at Plum Point Middle School), Hannah Sunshine (sixth grader at Northern Middle School), and Ayanna Mackall (eighth grader at Plum Point Middle School). Pamela Wilkerson, Glossie Leake, and Joyce Freeland will also share their stories and inspiration. The event is co-sponsored by the Commission for Women, Calvert County NAACP, Concerned Black Women of Calvert County, Calvert County Historical Society and Calvert Library.
The movie (released January 2017) and book (released September 2016) Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, highlighted the story of a group of African American women who made significant contributions to science without receiving proper recognition during their lifetimes. One of those engineers, Mary Winston Jackson, began her career as a math teacher in Calvert County. She touched a number of young lives here. With the book and movie, these women are finally getting recognition for their role in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
There are many other inspiring African American women who have touched Calvert County. The March 28 event and the book created for the event, are a continuation of Delphine Siggers-Williams’s 2006 “Forty Blossoms” exhibit. The new book, Inspiring African American Women of Calvert County, was funded by the Friends of Calvert Library and features additional women who persevered through such challenges as racial prejudice, gender bias, economic hardship, competing commitments and finding their courage. Through their sacrifices and hard work, the world has become a better place. They are role models for those that know them and for future generations. Short biographies of these women were collected and edited primarily by Darlene Harrod with help from Shirley Knight and Dr. Marsha Plater. Celebrate Women’s History Month at Calvert Library Prince Frederick on Tuesday, March 28! For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.
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Robyn Truslow
Public Relations Coordinator
Calvert Library
850 Costley Way
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-535-0291
410-535-3022 (fax)
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