Who Knew? Civil Rights Activists Who Led the Movement from Behind the Scenes
Join us for an enlightening series of webinars that shed light on the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. These five activists worked tirelessly behind the scenes to advance the cause of racial equality and social justice. Through their dedication and perseverance, they made significant contributions that helped shape the course of history.
October 23rd, 2024: Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray
Join us for an enlightening series of webinars that shed light on the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. These five activists worked tirelessly behind the scenes to advance the cause of racial equality and social justice. Through their dedication and perseverance, they made significant contributions that helped shape the course of history.
October 23rd, 2024: Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray
Learn the story of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, a pioneering civil rights activist and legal scholar whose work laid the groundwork for legal challenges against racial and gender discrimination. As one of the first women to be ordained as an Episcopal priest, she championed the intersectionality of race and gender, advocating for justice on multiple fronts.
SPEAKERS
Angela Thorpe Mason
Angela M. Mason (nee Thorpe), Executive Director of The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, is a cultural heritage leader, public historian, and scholar based in Durham, North Carolina. For a decade, she has worked to share stories of the Black Southern Experience, and to amplify histories of marginalized communities, in archives, museums, and historic sites.
Angela has experience in cultural resource management, organizational development, community programming, strategic planning, and communications. She attended the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in African American Studies. She pursued graduate studies at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she earned a Master of Arts in History with a concentration in Museum Studies. Most recently, Mason served as the director of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission. In this role, she transitioned the Commission from its position as a program of the North Carolina Arts Council to an independent division of the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Angela’s values are rooted in community care, equity, and honesty.
Angela’s work to reconsider the social impact, and economic possibilities, of heritage resources, spaces of remembrance, and sites of impact led to her being selected as a member of Leadership Raleigh Class 43, and an inaugural cohort member of the Association of African American Museums and Howard University School of Business Advance Executive Training Program for museum leaders.
Angela has experience in cultural resource management, organizational development, community programming, strategic planning, and communications. She attended the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in African American Studies. She pursued graduate studies at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she earned a Master of Arts in History with a concentration in Museum Studies. Most recently, Mason served as the director of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission. In this role, she transitioned the Commission from its position as a program of the North Carolina Arts Council to an independent division of the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Angela’s values are rooted in community care, equity, and honesty.
Angela’s work to reconsider the social impact, and economic possibilities, of heritage resources, spaces of remembrance, and sites of impact led to her being selected as a member of Leadership Raleigh Class 43, and an inaugural cohort member of the Association of African American Museums and Howard University School of Business Advance Executive Training Program for museum leaders.
Rosita Stevens-Holsey
Rosita Stevens-Holsey, niece of Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray, is a dynamic educator, author, activist, community engager and budding family historian focused on sharing stories of historical and pioneering voices for children and adults to be inspired by. Rosita Stevens-Holsey is president of Preserving Pauli Murray, LLC, which she founded to uplift the legacy of her aunt, the Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray.
Prior to moving back home to Washington, D.C., Ms. Stevens-Holsey was a Systems Engineer for IBM; a Regional Coordinator of Minority Studies for the Department of Defense Overseas School System; Founder of a management consulting firm in Atlanta, GA; and Director of the Regional Minority Purchasing Council in partnership with the Savannah Chamber of Commerce.
Before returning to teaching in 2008, Ms. Stevens-Holsey was an Advocate, Program Coordinator, and Director of a non-profit organization which provided services for persons with disabilities. She holds a B.S. in Science and Education from State University of New York and a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services from Boston University.
Ms. Stevens-Holsey is the co-author of the award winning biography Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist & Civil Rights Activist. Pauli Murray was a thorn in the side of white America demanding justice and equal treatment for all. Murray conceptualized the arguments that would win Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka; and in 1964, the arguments that won women equality in the workplace. Throughout her life, Murray fought for the oppressed, not only through changing laws, but by using her powerful prose to influence those who could affect change. Murray’s achievements as a writer, activist, attorney, and an Episcopal priest are now being uncovered, rendering her life and legacy stronger and more relevant.
Ms. Stevens-Holsey is a contributor, supporter and board member of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham, North Carolina, and the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA). She is a founding member of the Black Women’s History Committee of the NWHA. Rosita is a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), NAACP and Change the Names Project. Rosita is also a member of the Union of Black Episcopalians - The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Chapter. She has followed her Aunt Pauli’s lead in advocating for human rights issues and fighting discrimination against women, minorities, and those in need. Part of her present work is to support and enhance organizations’ efforts to promote her aunt’s legacy through speaking and personal appearances.
Ms. Stevens-Holsey shares much of her Aunt Pauli’s story through her Instagram, YouTube and website.
Prior to moving back home to Washington, D.C., Ms. Stevens-Holsey was a Systems Engineer for IBM; a Regional Coordinator of Minority Studies for the Department of Defense Overseas School System; Founder of a management consulting firm in Atlanta, GA; and Director of the Regional Minority Purchasing Council in partnership with the Savannah Chamber of Commerce.
Before returning to teaching in 2008, Ms. Stevens-Holsey was an Advocate, Program Coordinator, and Director of a non-profit organization which provided services for persons with disabilities. She holds a B.S. in Science and Education from State University of New York and a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services from Boston University.
Ms. Stevens-Holsey is the co-author of the award winning biography Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist & Civil Rights Activist. Pauli Murray was a thorn in the side of white America demanding justice and equal treatment for all. Murray conceptualized the arguments that would win Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka; and in 1964, the arguments that won women equality in the workplace. Throughout her life, Murray fought for the oppressed, not only through changing laws, but by using her powerful prose to influence those who could affect change. Murray’s achievements as a writer, activist, attorney, and an Episcopal priest are now being uncovered, rendering her life and legacy stronger and more relevant.
Ms. Stevens-Holsey is a contributor, supporter and board member of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham, North Carolina, and the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA). She is a founding member of the Black Women’s History Committee of the NWHA. Rosita is a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), NAACP and Change the Names Project. Rosita is also a member of the Union of Black Episcopalians - The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Chapter. She has followed her Aunt Pauli’s lead in advocating for human rights issues and fighting discrimination against women, minorities, and those in need. Part of her present work is to support and enhance organizations’ efforts to promote her aunt’s legacy through speaking and personal appearances.
Ms. Stevens-Holsey shares much of her Aunt Pauli’s story through her Instagram, YouTube and website.
MODERATOR
The Rev. Laura Ingersol
Laura Ingersol grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and is a graduate of Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois with both a BS and MS in Education. She taught 2nd grade low achievers, and 2nd and 3rd grade academically gifted students in the Joliet, Illinois Public School System. She served as a Community Worker at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C., then attended and earned a Master of Divinity at The Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, PA.
Laura was ordained in 1985, and served as the Associate Pastor of Bethany Lutheran, Forestville, MD, the solo and then Senior Pastor of Resurrection Lutheran, Roxbury (Boston), MA, the Pastor at All Saints Lutheran, Baltimore, MD, as the Associate Pastor at The Lutheran Church of God’s Love, Newtown, PA., and shared leadership as a pastor developer with her husband Jerrett, at Journey of Faith Church, Baltimore.
Now retired, Laura enjoys reading, cooking and travel. With Jerrett, she has two daughters, six grandsons, a granddaughter, and a Goldendoodle puppy, Oliver.
Laura was ordained in 1985, and served as the Associate Pastor of Bethany Lutheran, Forestville, MD, the solo and then Senior Pastor of Resurrection Lutheran, Roxbury (Boston), MA, the Pastor at All Saints Lutheran, Baltimore, MD, as the Associate Pastor at The Lutheran Church of God’s Love, Newtown, PA., and shared leadership as a pastor developer with her husband Jerrett, at Journey of Faith Church, Baltimore.
Now retired, Laura enjoys reading, cooking and travel. With Jerrett, she has two daughters, six grandsons, a granddaughter, and a Goldendoodle puppy, Oliver.
RESOURCES
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the unsung heroes who played crucial roles in the Civil Rights Movement.
Visit our bookstore to read about all these important figures:
Who Knew? 2024 Education Series Booklist - Bookshop.org
Who Knew? 2024 Education Series Booklist - Bookshop.org
Watch the Documentary: "This is Pauli Murray"
Register now and join us in honoring their legacy.
All programs will be held on Zoom at 4:30 pm PT, 5:30 MT, 6:30 CT, and 7:30 ET. These webinars are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Donations are appreciated to support our ongoing educational efforts.
All programs will be held on Zoom at 4:30 pm PT, 5:30 MT, 6:30 CT, and 7:30 ET. These webinars are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Donations are appreciated to support our ongoing educational efforts.
Please note that program dates are subject to change. Registered participants will be notified of any changes. Recordings of the webinars will be available for on-demand viewing for those unable to attend live.