Free program: Freedom Summer – 60 Years of Voting Rights

A free program, Freedom Summer – 60 Years of Voting Rights will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at the Dona Benicia Room at the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street in Benicia. The event is co-sponsored by Benicia Public Library, Benicia Black Lives Matter, the Solano League of Women Voters, and the Vallejo chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Benicia Literary Arts and the Benicia-Vallejo branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

A dynamic program will address voting rights history from the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1964 up to present year 2024.

Alice Fried a member of the Solano League of Women Voters will emcee the program. Mary Susan Gast, Benicia poet laureate, will speak of the gifts of Freedom Summer.

Linda Youngblood Wright, a Benicia storyteller, will share oral theater presentation about Fannie Lou Hamer, an American voting and women's rights activist, community organizer, and a leader in the civil rights movement. Hamer was the vice-chair of the Freedom Democratic Party, which she represented at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.

Syria T Berry, a prominent singer performing in Bay Area clubs for over 40 years and a ministry leader, will engage the audience with renditions of several freedom songs.

Individuals with additional questions may call the Reference Librarian at 707-746-4343.

AAUW puts its mission – to support equity and education for all women and girls – into action.

To join the American Association of University Women, please visit the website https://beniciavallejo-ca.aauw.net/. Questions about the program can be emailed to [email protected]