The Center Church in South Hadley is hosting an exhibit entitled The Voices of Resilience: The Intersection of Women on the Move. From September 18 to October 19 the public is invited to discover the stories of women whose diverse lives changed the course of history and whose voices continue to resonate today. The event, which is free, will open on Sunday, September 18 at 2:00pm, and then be open to the public on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm, Sundays from 11am to 2pm, and Wednesdays from 4-7pm. Center Church is located across from the Town Green on Route 116, at 1 Church Street, South Hadley.
For a flyer and more details, see: centerchurchsouthhadley.org/voices. To schedule a tour, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-of-resilience-2022-tickets-405736919047
The guiding inspiration for the exhibit is the new song — ‘Highest Star’ — by the legendary 80s singer, Broadway actress, and Presidential honoree Melba Moore.
“We raise the voices of women –past and present– by acknowledging their critical narrative along history’s timeline,” says exhibit curator Janine Fondon, Bay Path University Assistant Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Communication. “This year, we will learn more about the Combahee River Collective and its historic 1977 statement raising the voice of Black women with intention during an era of defining feminism. The exhibit reveals a range of less known stories that are truly hidden in plain sight.”
With a team of collaborators including Bay Path University and scholars, the second installation of “Voices of Resilience: The Intersection of Women on the Move” will be presented by South Hadley’s Center Church, September 18 (opens at 2 pm) to October 15 with support from the following organizations: E Ink Corporation, Mount Holyoke College, Peoples Bank, Thomson Financial Management, Odyssey Bookshop and Sankofa Gumbo, Inc., and a grant from the South Hadley Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council.
Community collaborators for the exhibit include: Bay Path University, DoubleXXposure Media, Springfield Museums, On the Move Forum, Lawrence “Larry” Watson, Renee Flowers, Open Pixel Studio, Olive Tree Books-n-Voices, Human Service Forum, Arise for Social Justice, NAMIC New England, African American Female Professors Association and others.
Exhibition scholar Dr. Demetria Shabazz notes that the exhibit presents an opportunity to learn how women overcame challenges and created enduring legacies. “It is important to reflect on how African-American women and women in general have stepped up to shape our local and national civic and political cultures over time.” Dr. Lucie K. Lewis, exhibition scholar and researcher, said, “Remembering the shoulders on which we stand and discovering the spirit that guided their journey emboldens each of us to embrace the work that remains yet to be done.”
For questions or to schedule a tour, reach out to Janine Fondon via email – jfondon@unityfirst.com. She is happy to arrange a scheduled private tour! This exhibit will travel to various cities in 2023.