From slave to activist

From slave to activist

Historian shines spotlight on one fascinating New York woman at free Learning for a Lifetime lecture

Image: E Hohl Who: Elizabeth Hohl, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of history, Fairfield University

What: "How a Woman Born into Slavery Helped Build New York City's First African American Research Library"

Where: Fairfield University Bookstore, 1499 Post Road, Fairfield, CT

When: 1:30 p.m., Thursday, October 9, 2014

Details: Dr. Hohl will discuss journalist Victoria Earle Matthews (1861-1907), president of the Women's Loyal Union, who was born into slavery in Fort Valley, Georgia. After the Civil War, she moved with her mother and sisters to New York City, where working as a domestic ended her hopes of a formal education. Her love of books and learning never left her and she co-founded the Enquiry Club in the early 1880s and helped build New York City's first African American Research Library. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served. This event, part of the University's Learning for a Lifetime series, is free and open to the public.

For more information: Elizabeth Hastings, ehastings@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2688.

Posted On: 09-25-2014 03:09 PM

Volume: 47 Number: 60