Hundreds Rally Around The Robbins House
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to Show Support for Social Justice
Close to 500 people gathered at The Robbins House with masks, signs, and an open mind to listen, learn, and add their thoughts to a difficult and painful dialogue happening across the country around inequity and the quest for social justice for people of color. The peaceful gathering of solidarity was organized in less than 24 hours and moderated by Nikki Turpin, Robbins House Programming Chair. Held on June 1st, the talks ranged from the pioneering work of Ellen Garrison who advocated for civil rights in the 1800’s, to the 1921 “Black Wall Street” massacre outside of Tulsa, to the recent nationwide protests triggered by the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
Maria Madison In the tradition of the Quakers, the gathering ended in a moment of silence, after which community, and to condemn the actions anyone who felt moved of the police officers in Minneapolis. to speak was invited to Many events have taken place around do so. Speakers ranged Concord since then, including a June 14th from a very young girl webinar featuring Jan Turnquist of Louisa who talked about feeling May Alcott’s Orchard House interviewing compelled to draw people Maria Madison of The Robbins House, of color in her coloring and Sandra Petrulionis, author of To Set book because they are beautiful and because This World Right: The Antislavery Movement In ‘the books seem too white to me’…to Concord Thoreau’s Concord. Police Chief Joseph O’Connor who came For more information, please visit up to the microphone unexpectedly to give robbinshouse.org. an emotional speech of solidarity with the
Hope and Keep Busy
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Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House Executive Director Jan Turnquist knew that thousands of fans would be disappointed not to be able to visit the home of the world-renowned author during the pandemic – particularly in light of the Little Women film, released this past Christmas. Drawing inspiration from the classic novel’s words of wisdom “Hope and Keep Busy,” Jan launched a series of Facebook Live events to bring the Orchard House experience to viewers around the world. Her hour-long virtual tours covered topics ranging from a ‘get to know’ session on the various Alcott family members, to tours of the house, to a peek at the emerging Spring gardens. Several of the events drew more than 3,000 viewers! You can see the sessions on Facebook @louisamayalcottsorchardhouse.
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