Open the Door -- I'll Get it Myself: Migration Stories of New Jersey's African American Women
The Great Migration of the early 20th century was a time when African Americans from the South moved northward, hoping to escape lynchings and Jim Crow laws that made life almost unbearable. In the North, they looked for opportunity--a chance to walk through an open door and get the American Dream for themselves.
Many of the African American women who traveled north in the 20th century found themselves faced with discrimination based on both their gender and the color of their skin. The majority of African American women who settled in New Jersey became domestic workers--both in private homes and local hotels. They found ways to overcome obstacles, create communities, and build families that continue to thrive in New Jersey today.
What was life like for African American women in New Jersey during the Civil Rights Era?
Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps joins Chhange on February 27th to answer this question. Dr. Caldwell Epps is one of the foremost historians on New Jersey history and previously served as the President and CEO of the New Jersey Historical Society. She is currently the President and CEO of 1804 Consultants, which connects educators and organizations who share the common goal of utilizing the humanities "as a path to cultural understanding among diverse populations." Dr. Caldwell Epps received her PhD from Drew University, and her dissertation was “From Zion to Brick City: What's Going On? Newark and the Legacy of the Sixties.”
Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Navesink III, Student Life Center
Parking Lot #7
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738
Cost: $10.00 General Admission, Free for Brookdale students & Chhange members