Press/Journalists

Rosa Parks' life and Legacy, The Road to Freedom
Press Release · Thursday, December 29, 2005

Washington, DC

The National Archives will celebrate Rosa Parks' life and legacy with "The Road to Freedom" - a series of public programs, films and lectures. These events are free and open to the public and will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC., which is located on the National Mall at Constitution Ave. and 7th Street, N.W., and is fully accessible. Reservations can be made by telephone (202-537-5000) or by e-mail ( public.program@nara.gov).

A Tribute to Rosa Parks: Personal Reflections - Thursday, February 2 at 7 PM

The National Archives Afro-American History Society and the Center for the National Archives Experience present Elaine Eason Steele, co-founder of the Rosa and Raymond Parks Self-Development Institute, and Anita Peek, executive director and historian, who will share personal stories that show an in-depth understanding of Rosa Parks. In the William G. McGowan Theater.

Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks (2002, 40 minutes) - Saturday, February 4 at noon

On Rosa Parks' birthday, the Charles Guggenheim Center for the Documentary Film at the National Archives, the National Archives' Afro-American History Society, and the Center for the National Archives Experience will present a Southern Poverty Law Center/Teaching Tolerance production that recounts how Rosa Parks sparked a revolution by sitting still on December 1, 1955. Her simple act of defiance against racial segregation on city buses inspired the African American community of Montgomery, Alabama, to unite against the segregationists who ran City Hall. Over the course of a year, the Montgomery Bus Boycott would test the endurance of the peaceful protesters, overturn an unjust law and create a legacy of mighty times that continue to inspire those who work for freedom and justice today. Center for the National Archives Experience education specialist Kahlil Chism will introduce the film and participate in an audience Q&A. In the William G. McGowan Theater.

Related National Archives Programs on African American Genealogy

All programs are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted. All genealogy lectures will be held in the Research Center of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Note: For programs in the Research Center, use the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance.

African Americans and the Labor Movement
Tuesday, February 7, at 11 AM, Research Center, Room G-24
Archivist James Cassedy provides an overview of some of the National Archives records relating to African Americans and organized labor. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, February 9, at 11 AM.)

Preserving the Legacy of the United States Colored Troops
Tuesday, February 14, at 11 AM, Research Center, Room G-24
Budge Weidman, project manager of the Civil War Conservation Corps, discusses the information found in the military service records of soldiers in the United States Colored Troops. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, February 16, at 11 AM.)

African American Genealogy Workshop
Saturday, February 18, 10:15 AM-1:15 PM, Washington Room
Staff archivist Reginald Washington explores the use of Federal records for African American genealogical research. Reservations are required, and a fee of $20 is payable by cash or check at the door. Call 202-357-5333.

African American Employees at the Panama Canal
Tuesday, February 28, at 11 AM, Research Center, Room G-24
Archivist Patrice Brown will discuss the little-known presence of African Americans as Panama Canal employees and their impact on the employment system known as the gold and silver rolls. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, March 2, at 11 AM)

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For Press information contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

To verify the date and times of the programs, please call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 357-5000, for information, or view the Calendar of Events on the web at: http://www.archives.gov/calendar/ To contact the National Archives, please call 1-866-272-6272 or 1-86-NARA-NARA; (TDD) 301-837-0482.

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