Register

Unsung Heroes of Civil Rights with Bill Thierfelder on Zoom

This program will discuss the major contributions of lesser known individuals who participated in the Civil Rights Movement.

We've all heard of Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X--each a household name for their involvement with the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. But have you heard of Nannie Helen Burroughs who fired up the crowd in 1900 with her impassioned “How the Sisters Are Hindered From Helping”? How about Pauli Murray who became the first Black woman ordained an Episcopalian priest, or Ella Baker, or Claudette Colvin who was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus nine months before Rosa Parks? Even though they stayed out of the limelight or simply predated the 1960s, the contributions of these individuals were just as important in fueling the movement as were the legendary historical figures we learned about in school. Come celebrate these heroes in the fight for equality. 

Dr. Bill Thierfelder is a retired professor of Arts and Humanities, with a PhD in English Literature, an MA in Theology, and a BA in English with additional concentrations in music history and art. Bill spent 32 years teaching a variety of Arts and Humanities courses at several New York and Long Island universities and colleges, including St. John's University, Hofstra University, and Dowling College. He is currently docent emeritus at the American Museum of Natural History where he continues to give both Zoom and in-person presentations, work on special editing projects, and give tours. 

This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

This program is in partnership with the Groton Public Library and funded in part by the Friends of Memorial Hall Library. 

Upcoming events