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August 22, 2020 Women's suffrage in Indiana: the mythsAmid the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of women's voting rights this month, it's important to acknowledge the arduous, decades-long struggles that were involved in reaching that historic milestone. It's also important to dispute myths about the women's suffrage movement that have persisted ever since the 19th Amendment became official on Aug. 26, 1920.
Among the myths that she plans to challenge: the misconception that the suffrage movement in the Hoosier state primarily consisted of, as she puts it, "white, Protestant, middle-class women." Although African-American and Jewish women may have been excluded in other states, Anita's book describes their activist roles in Indiana from the beginnings of women's suffrage in the 19th century. Legendary entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker hosted a meeting of an African-American suffrage group at her home in Indianapolis, with public school teachers taking leadership roles. One of the teachers, Francis Berry Coston, also used her position as a literary critic for The Indianapolis News to urge African-American women to vote. In addition to Indianapolis, African-American chapters of suffrage organizations formed in Marion and Muncie, according to We Must Be Fearless. The book also describes the activism undertaken by the Terre Haute Council of Jewish Women and counterpart organizations in other Indiana cities.
History fact: Clear back in 1909, women ran for school boards in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, the only cities in the state with elected school boards then, according to We Must Be Fearless. Both female candidates won, even though they could not vote yet in national and state elections. During our show, we also will explore myths that Indiana women did not have an impact on the national level. In fact, many Hoosier suffragists, including several Quakers who were at the forefront of the movement here, ended up in national leadership roles. Others who attained national prominence included Indianapolis educator and civic leader May Wright Sewall, whom we discussed during a Hoosier History Live show in January. We explored suffrage strides, setbacks and the role of Zerelda Wallace, a former Indiana first lady, during a show in March. Our guest Anita Morgan will be participating in a virtual Suffrage Centennial Block Party at 11 am on Aug. 29. More information about her presentation, which is being arranged by the Indiana Historical Society, is available online. Her presentation is among a series of events this year, with many coordinated by the Indiana Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission.
Roadtrip: Riley's grave atop Crown Hill CemeteryJames Whitcomb Riley (as portrayed by actor Danny Russel of Famous Hoosiers) is our special guest Roadtripper this week. Riley (1849 to 1916), beloved author of such classic poems as "Little Orphant Annie" and "When the Frost is on the Punkin," invites us to visit one of the most serene and scenic spots in Indianapolis: his grave site in Crown Hill Cemetery, from which the entire city is visible on a clear day. The Hoosier Poet says that the choice for the location of his final resting place was a matter of some dispute between the cities of Indianapolis and Greenfield, where the poet was born and raised. The prolific bard will tell us all about that conflict, as well as note that President Benjamin Harrison is buried at a point lower in the cemetery than himself, reflecting the superiority of poetry to politics. He'll also relate the tradition of placing pennies on his grave, and tell about how the coins are collected each month and donated to Riley Hospital. Don't miss this ghostly Roadtrip from the great beyond!
History Mystery
In far-eastern Indiana, a Quaker married couple helped thousands of people who were escaping slavery as they traveled through Indiana. During the 1840s, the Quaker couple lived in a small town in Wayne County, where they were civic leaders and recruited other residents to help shelter the refugees, weave blankets and clothes for them, and provide medical care. The couple's Federal-style house in Wayne County is now an Indiana State Historic Site and has been featured on the History Channel. Question: Who were the Quaker couple who were active in the Underground Railroad in Wayne County? The prizes this week are two tickets to the Seiberling Mansion and a gift certificate to Windmill Grill, all in Kokomo, courtesy of Howard County Historical Society and Peggy Hollingsworth.By the way, if your organization would like to offer prizes to be used on the show, email molly@hoosierhistorylive.org. It's a great way to promote your group!
Seeking internet marketing expertLike every other successful show on radio, we've been reaching more and more listeners through podcasts. As Hoosier History Live fans discover that they can listen at their convenience and access our extensive library of past shows, more and more are using a favorite podcast purveyor like Apple Podcasts and Stitcher to listen on their phones, tablets, and home computers. But we want to expand that reach even farther. That's why we're seeking an expert in digital media to help us effectively market our podcasts beyond our current listenership. By growing our audience, we will make ourselves more attractive to community businesses and organizations who can offer the financial support that allows us to produce the shows you love. If you know any tech-savvy marketing experts who might take on the challenge of marketing and growing our online presence, please have them contact producer Molly Head at molly@hoosierhistorylive.org. This might make a great project for a college student majoring in business or internet marketing, or a successful tech marketing entrepreneur who would work with us as a consultant. We believe that we have an outstanding product in Hoosier History Live, and we are open to exciting new possibilities in the ever changing world of online media. But could use some help in navigating the territory. Please spread the word! Nelson Price, host and historian Cheryl Lamb, administrative manager
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August 29, 2020 - coming up International opera star Angela Brown, trailblazerShe started singing as a 5-year-old girl at Mt Calvary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, where her grandfather was the minister.
Angela, a 1982 graduate of Attucks High School who later studied at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, has been blazing trails, including some beyond the music world. She recently founded Freddie Mae's Daughter, a company offering such products as "handcrafted jewelry, masks and other Afrocentric accessories." The business is named for Angela's late mother, Freddie Mae Brown, an Indianapolis artist and nurse. Angela also is converting her one-woman show, Opera from a Sistah's Point of View, into a virtual program for opera companies across the country; the show includes Angela's re-telling of opera plots from a Black perspective. Angela will discuss these endeavors - and others, including a new podcast with Classical Music Indy that she co-hosts, Melanated Moments in Classical Music - when she is Nelson's guest. The podcast showcases music composed by, for or about Black people, with commentary from Angela and her co-host, sociologist Joshua Thompson. She also will discuss her roots in Indianapolis, where Angela still owns a house. In her hometown, she has given master classes at Indianapolis Opera.
Angela, who has been acclaimed for her singing of spirituals as well as opera, grew up near Broadway and 30th Streets. According to a profile of her in 19 Stars of Indiana: Exceptional Hoosier Women (IU Press, 2009), her father, Clyde Brown, was an autoworker at a Chrysler plant for more than 40 years. Like Freddie Mae Brown, he died in 2008. At Attucks, Angela became active in the vocal music program. Her mentor was choir director Robert Fleck; Angela has told interviewers that "his encouragement made a lasting impression." Hoosier History Live explored the music program during an Attucks High School history show in 2014, which cited Angela Brown as among the distinguished alums. Her debut at the Met - which resulted in national media coverage from the New York Times, CNN and Oprah magazine, among others - was in Aida, an opera by Verdi. She portrayed the title role of an Ethiopian princess who briefly enjoys happiness before tragedy ensues. "The opera ended amid cries of 'Brava!' and an immediate and extended standing ovation," according to 19 Stars. "Adoring fans rushed down the aisles proffering bouquets and throwing flowers onto the stage." © 2020 Hoosier History Live. All rights reserved. | |||||||||||
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