Women’s Rights National Historical Park hosts events to commemorate the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Decision

Date: May 13, 2013
Contact: David Malone, 315.568.0024

Seneca Falls, NY - Inrecognition of the anniversary of the 1954 landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, Women's Rights National Historical Park will host a series of events on May 17^th & 18^th to commemorate the 59^th anniversary of the decision.

On Friday, May 17^th, Dr. James Michael Valenti, assistant professor of criminal justice at Finger Lakes Community College will reflect upon this groundbreaking case with an informative lecture. The event begins at 7:00 PM in the park visitor center theater, 136 Fall Street, Seneca Falls.

Valenti, an experienced speaker, brings this case to life in this riveting presentation.The class action case, Brown v. Board of Education, which ended legal segregation in public schools, is a testament to the hope and courage of thirteen Topeka parents on behalf of their twenty children.  When these parents agreed to be plaintiffs in the case, they never knew they would be a part of history. They were teachers, secretaries, welders, ministers and students who simply wanted to be treated equally. The program will be followed by a reception.

On Saturday, May 18^th, at 10:00 am, the park will show the film Black/White & Brown; Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka, which narrates the Brown v. Board of Education decision.This decision by the U.S. Supreme Court ended the practice of racial segregation throughout the United States, and is seen today as a land mark in the Civil Rights Movement.

Following the film at 11:00 am, the park will offer an activity for children, ages 8 - 12 in which they will present a mock news cast on the Brown v. Board of Education decision.The news cast will be videotaped and may be posted on the park's website.Following this activity at 12:00 pm, children, ages 4 - 12 will be invited to participate in a contest by drawing a sidewalk mural in chalk to help commemorate the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place.

As we mark the anniversary of the court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, Chief of Interpretation Ami Ghazala said"Brown v. Board was a landmark case that essentially overturned the 1896 Plessy decision of "separate but equal", striking down all laws mandating racially-segregated educational facilities. The NPS is proud to host events such as this one".

All events will take place in the park visitor center at 136 Fall Street, Seneca Falls, NY. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/wori or call [phone]. Follow the park's social media sites for Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/womensrightsnps)and Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/WomensRightsNPS) to learn more about our upcoming programs. Learn about the park's latest activities by reading its most recent newsletter: https://www.nps.gov/wori/parknews/upload/WORI-Newsletter-Vol-2-no-2-Final-2.pdf.