Discussion at the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable session on April 1 at the Historical Society of Pennsvylania yielded a wealth of insight into the needs and potential for new research on twentieth-century women’s history. We have posted topic suggestions from participants’ comment cards on our Nominations page. Watch for a summary of the discussion to be posted soon.
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Discussion Posted: LGBT Activism
We have posted summaries of the presentations and discussion at the first session of the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, “Striving for Equality: LGBT Activism in Greater Philadelphia.” We encourage continuing discussion online and welcome additional suggestions of related topics. Watch for additional summaries of roundtables to be posted approximately two weeks after each event.
Nominations from the Northeast
More nominations for topics have come in from the Free Library of Philadelphia branches in Tacony and Holmesburg. Thanks to all who add their ideas to the library suggestion boxes. Check out the list and add your nominations on our Home page.
Program Updates – April Roundtables
We’re so pleased by the brisk registration for the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable events in April. Unfortunately, we have already reached the capacity of our room for the roundtable on April 22, “Imagining Philadelphia’s Future,” at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Please add your name to the wait list by visiting our “Events” page, and we’ll let you know if we can accommodate more people. Also, consider joining us for our other roundtables this spring. An added attraction for the roundtable on April 1 is a book-signing for Women of Industry and Reform: Shaping the History of Pennsylvania, 1865-1940, by Marion Roydhouse, published by the Pennsylvania Historical Association.
The Greater Philadelphia Roundtable: LGBT Activism
Our new initiative for civic dialogue, the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, began this week with a gathering at the William Way Community Center for a panel, “Striving for Equality: LGBT Activism in Greater Philadelphia.” The discussion highlighted the generations of activism necessary to achieve goals such as the Philadelphia civil rights bill and the Pennsylvania hate crimes bill. By understanding the connections that advocates for LGBT rights have forged between Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Washington, we gained insight into Philadelphia’s impact in the state and nation. We discussed the importance of visibility for LGBT people in Philadelphia’s history and the prospects for continuing conversation and future collaborations with the Encyclopedia project. We thank the participants and many cosponsors of this event, especially facilitator Kathy Padilla for organizing the panel. Thanks also to Professor William Hewitt of West Chester University for stepping in as speaker to discuss the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin. Topics submitted on comment cards have been posted on our nominations page , and a more detailed summary of the event will be posted soon to allow the conversation to continue.
The Greater Philadelphia Roundtable is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities We the People initiative for American history.
Program Update – Greater Philadelphia Roundtable
We are pleased to announce an addition to the March 18 Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, “Striving for Equality: LGBT Activism in Greater Philadelphia.” Professor William L. Hewitt, the recipient of the 2009 Bayard Rustin Compassion and Courage Award, will speak on the topic of Bayard Rustin’s activism and legacy. This evening also features a panel discussion with Stephen Glassman, chairperson, Pennsylvaina Human Relations Commission; Michael P. Williams, City of Philadelphia Law Department; and Stacey Sobel, Western State University, former executive director of Equality Advocates Pennsylvania. Kathy Padilla will facilitate. (Kevin Mumford from the University of Iowa is unable to participate.) For details and registration, visit our Events page.
Tacony Adds Tips for Topics
Our latest information session took place on Saturday, February 27, at the branch library in Tacony, “the community that bridges yesterday with tomorrow.” Among the library’s treasures are the minute books of the Keystone Scientific and Literary Association, founded in Tacony in 1876. To stir up interest, the association organized a debate on the topic, “Are athletic sports, as at present conducted, beneficial to the students?” The next debate tackled the question, “Does the reading of novels have a beneficial effect upon the community?” We can only hope some debate occurred on January 23, 1877, when a Rev. Mr. Kidder lectured on the topic, “Dry as dust — the Historian” ! Thanks to our hosts at Tacony and to everyone who suggested topics for the Encyclopedia. These are now posted on-line, and we look forward to receiving more in the suggestion box that will remain at the library for the month of March.
Join Us: The Greater Philadelphia Roundtable
Our public discussion of Greater Philadelphia history and issues expands this spring with the introduction of the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, a forum for community dialogue that will help shape the future content of The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. With the help of many civic partners, four programs have been organized for this spring. Please visit our Events page or our Eventbrite listings for complete information. (Advance registration will help us assure enough seats for everyone at these events.) The Eventbrite listings allow you to email your own electronic invitations to these events, post them on Facebook, or alert your followers on Twitter — please do! Press Release
This program has been supported in part by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities’ We the People initiative on American History.
National Constitution Center Joins Advisory Board
We are pleased to welcome the National Constitution Center to our Civic Advisory Board. These important partners provide guidance to assure that The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia project creates civic benefits and meets community needs. To learn more about the National Constitution Center, visit the web site http://www.constitutioncenter.org .
West Philadelphia Weighs In
Visitors to the Walnut Street West branch of the Free Library began adding their suggestions for the Encyclopedia at our information table on February 16. A suggestion box will remain at the library for two weeks (until around March 2), so continue to add your ideas! Nominations of topics also are welcome on this web site, where we have already posted some submissions from Walnut Street West.