Women’s History Month Tribute Planned To Honor Former Memphian Ida B. Wells (March 12 & 13, 2010)

Women’s History Month Tribute Planned To Honor Former Memphian Ida B. Wells (March 12 & 13, 2010)

 

In observance of Women’s History Month (March), three women’s organizations are collaborating to issue the call to women for service and social action as they remember the life and legacy of Ida B. Wells, civil rights and women’s activist.

The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, the Shelby County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (located in Washington, D.C.) are co-sponsoring a weekend celebration (March 12-13) in Memphis commemorating Wells’ legacy of activism and service.

The commemoration features a schedule of educational and entertainment activities presented as fund-raising events to support the non-profit agendas of the organizations – to empower communities by improving the lives of women and their families.

The schedule kicks off on March 12 at the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC), where event supporters will attend a concert featuring Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. On March 13, there will be a Heritage Tour, including sites prominent in the life of Wells, who was a resident of Memphis and native of Holly Springs.

The weekend will culminate the afternoon of March 13 with a talk by award winning-author Paula J. Giddings, who wrote “IDA: A Sword Among Lions,” the biography on the anti-lynching crusader Wells. Giddings’ presentation will be held at GPAC at 5 p.m., followed by a book signing and reception.

“Remembering the Legacy of Ida B. Wells: A Call for Service and Social Action” is an outgrowth of the National Reading Circle sponsored by The Delta Foundation, which features the Wells biography by Giddings as its current book selection. The Shelby County Alumnae Chapter has formed a Reading Circle to read the biography and Jus Sistahs, a local book club, has also selected “IDA” as a reading choice.

Wells – an uncompromising and ardent supporter of democracy as a fearless anti-lynching crusader, suffragist, women’s rights advocate, and journalist – was born on July 16, 1862 in Holly Springs and died on March 25, 1931 in Chicago.

“March gives women the space to honor and inspire leadership, foster diversity and inspire the future,” said Ruby Bright, executive director of The Women’s Foundation.

For online reservations and tickets, visit www.wfgm.org, or www.deltafoundation.net.