LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The African American Theatre Program at the University of Louisville will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a play, keynote address by journalist Betty Baye and recognition for three women who helped advance the civil rights movement in Kentucky.
The Jan. 20 event at The Playhouse, corner of Cardinal Boulevard at the intersection of Second and Third streets, begins at 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
“Our theme for this year’s program is ‘Kentucky Women Pushing for Civil Rights,’” said Lundeana Thomas, who directs the AATP program.
Thomas said theater students will honor seven women who fought for racial equality in Kentucky by portraying those women in a play. The honorees are Alice Dunnigan, Elizabeth Fouse, Audrey Grevious, Anne Braden, Julia Britton Hooks, Mae Street Kidd and Suzy Post.
Three additional women—former Sen. Georgia Montgomery Davis Powers, Mattie Jones and Gracie Lewis—will be given AATP’s Service to all Mankind Award. All three honorees are expected to attend the event to receive their award.
“We wanted to mark the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by showing how Kentucky women participated in the battle for racial equality,” said Thomas. “Our program brings home King’s message with local flavor.”
Tickets are not required for the event. 2014 marks the 20th year for the AATP program.
For more information, contact Thomas at 502-852-8442 or deanat@louisville.edu