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Girl in Black and White: The Story of Mary Mildred Williams and the Abolition Movement
  • Date: Monday, March 18, 2019
  • Time: 4:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

In 1855, after her family won its freedom, seven-year-old Mary Mildred Williams joined Senator Charles Sumner in a series of sold-out lectures as evidence that slavery knew no bounds. After being photographed, Mary unexpectedly became the face of American slavery; America’s first poster child. Why? As author Jessie Morgan-Owens relates in her book, Girl in Black and White, this former slave girl looked “white.” A book signing follows the program.

All public programs at the National Archives are free. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.

Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202.357.5000 in advance.

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