Black Women Walking

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL During Black History Month in February of 2013, Arizona State Universitys Project Humanities and Seek First Entertainment proposes to bring Karen F. Williams production, Black Women Walking, to high schools and colleges throughout Arizona. Black Women Walking is two hour historical production about the lives of 11 influential African American women: Zora Neale Hurston, Harriet Tubman, Marianne Anderson, Wilma Rudolph, Mary McLeod Bethune, Bessie Coleman, Willie Mae Ford Smith, Sister Elizabeth, Rosa Parks, and Sojourner Truth. Much like the Councils Chitaqua presentations where history is brought to life through performance that grounds historical perspective, Black Women Walking is about culture, gender, race relations, and our basic ability to connect through stories and storytelling. The stage production incorporates historical photographs, music, dance and an audience discussion with the cast regarding what they learned and how the portrayal of African American women has changed over time. The humanities content will include history lessons as revealed through period costumes, dialogue with actors/ performers and audiences, and lesson plans educators can use to generate discussion points and critical analysis inside the classroom.