Celebrate the Legacy of Harriet Tubman during Black History Month 2022
Virtual Celebration of the Legacy of Harriet Tubman
during Black History Month 2022
Harriet Tubman (c. 1822 – March 10, 1913) is an icon of courage, a true American hero. Born Araminta “Minty” Ross, she was enslaved at birth in Maryland. In 1849 she escaped to Philadelphia, PA and changed her name to Harriet. She made at least 13 more trips to lead dozens of other enslaved Blacks to freedom using the Underground Railroad, earning her the nickname “Moses”. During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman worked for the Union as a cook, nurse, armed scout, and spy. As the first Black woman to lead a Civil War mission, she led the 1863 Combahee River Raid in South Carolina which freed more than 700 enslaved people. In her time, Harriet Tubman was well known as an abolitionist, suffragist, civil rights activist, and humanitarian. She is immortalized in many books and films, including the popular 2019 biographical film “Harriet”.
In February 2015, Harriet Tubman’s great-grandniece Geraldine Copes-Daniels and her daughter Rita Daniels established the Georgia-based non-profit Harriet Tubman Learning Center (HTLC) to directly impact the deep-rooted and growing problem of illiteracy in US communities by initiating strategies that provide exceptional literacy and science-based programs proven to empower youth and propel them towards future sustainability. This year, Richmond Public Library's GET LIT literacy initiatives—including the Black Male Emergent Readers Program (BMER) and Lit Chicks Read Book Club—and our partners celebrate the legacy of Harriet Tubman with her great-great-grandniece, HTLC's founder and President, Rita Daniels. In this online program, Ms. Daniels will present how Harriet Tubman's legacy continues to grow and impact today's youth in communities around the United States and how the Richmond community can take part in the triumphant spirit of Harriet Tubman. This event will take place entirely online via Zoom.
- Date:
- Monday, February 14, 2022
- Time:
- 6:30pm - 8:00pm
- Categories:
- Genealogy Law Lectures & Talks Science & Technology/STEAM Virtual
A Question and Answer period will follow Ms. Daniels' presentation.
Meldon Jenkins-Jones is the Richmond Public Library / Community Services Manager at Hull Street Branch Library.
Meldon also chairs the Get Lit Advisory Committee which supports the Richmond Public Library Get Lit Reading Initiatives including the Black Male Emergent Readers (BMER) program and the Lit Chicks Read book clubs.
Meldon is a graduate of the Leadership Metro Richmond Class of 2022. She was the first recipient of the Virginia Library Association (VLA) Librarians of Color Forum Award in 2021 and is an active member of VLA. She presented “Libraries Bringing Community Together” at the 2023 VLA Annual Conference.
In 2011, Meldon received her Master of Library and Information Studies from Florida State University. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law—Newark and practiced law in New Jersey until her retirement in 2003. Meldon received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she studied African American Studies and Russian Civilization.
A Metro Richmond resident, Meldon is the mother of two adult children and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
