THEATER
HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
American Slavery Project presents the ABC’s: Black Women and the Ballot By Makeda Viechweg
T
Paul (Montana Lambert Hoover),
chimed in Delta Sigma Theta Sis-
he American Slavery Proj-
leader of the women’s suffrage
ter Valencia Yearwood.
ect presented the ABC’s
movement, into having black
Delta Sigma Theta President
(African Americans from
women march in the 1913 Wom-
Rory Mills said, “My takeaway
Bondage through Crow Series):
en’s Suffrage Parade in Washing-
from this play is that disagreement
Black Women and the Ballot, three
ton D.C.
can be positive. This can move us
“In the Parlour” written by
suffrage at the National Black The-
Judy Tate, had its full share of
Tate revealed that the play, ‘In
emotions. From defeat, to comedy,
the Parlour” came from a question
to suspense, and then to triumph,
that many ask when recounting his-
the four women earned themselves
torical events. “This play came out
a standing ovation.
of the question: ‘Where are the black
atre in Harlem on Monday April 8. Producing Artistic Director Judy Tate, took the audience back
Celestine Rae (as Nellie Quander), Gabrielle C. Archer (as Edna Brown) and Messeret Stroman Wheeler (as Mary Church Terrell)
Gabrielle C. Archer (as Edna Brown) with Messeret Stroman Wheeler (as Mary Church Terrell)
Messeret Stroman Wheeler (as Mary Church Terrell)
to the year 1913 during the first short play, “Pulling the Lever”
ly’s home on voting day, bringing
her best voting experience. “I
where I’m seeing such a diverse
After the play Judy Tate led a
women?’ I mean we had to have
written by Tate herself, about
awareness to this form of voter
just remember that there was just
crowd, we have our young and
panel discussion with a historian
been there. I went down the rabbit
three generations of black wom-
suppression.
this long line of black people that
old here, different races...I want to
and members of the AKA and Del-
hole, researched and put this togeth-
en recounting their experiences
After the play Tate invited the
snaked its way back for miles in
thank you all for coming out and
ta sororities to talk about the unity
er and I believe this is very close to
on attending the voting polls. The
audience to share their opinion of
Orange County, Atlanta, Georgia
your support.”
of black women in the play, “In the
what happened. The timeline is real I
line from the play, “there’s nothing
the piece. One noticed the blatant
for the five day early voting peri-
The final play “In the Parlour”
Parlour” and the importance of so-
just gave it humanity,” said Tate.
wrong with letting history move
voters’ suppression in the play,
od. We were all there for Barack
is a rendition of what happened
you,” set the tone for the evening.
Harlem Community Newspapers | April 18. 2019
rorities and HBCUs.
The American Slavery Proj-
one suggested that these plays
Obama and had bible scriptures in
when Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
“Sororities are a lifetime com-
ect is a theatrical response to re-
In the second short play,
be taught in schools, and another
our hands just praying and think-
founder Edna Brown (Gabrielle
mitment and the alumni is where
visionism in American discourse
“Don’t/Dream” written by Savi-
picked up on the nuance of forced
ing that this could actually happen.
C. Archer), President of the Al-
it starts. In the play women didn’t
around enslavement and its after-
ana Stanescu, the Jamaican Afri-
servitude. Tate also had the au-
It was really an exciting time.”
pha Kappa Alpha Sorority Nellie
see eye to eye but still came to-
math through theatre, readings and
can-American actress Lynnette R.
dience break off into pairs to talk
Within the midst of everyone
Quander (Celestine Rae), and
gether because of that unity,” said
developmental workshops. Visit
Freeman, who played an undocu-
about “the first time you’ve voted
sharing their voting stories, Tate
Mary Church Terrell (Messeret
AKA sorority President Andrea R.
www.americanslaveryproject.org
mented housekeeper, repeated the
or any voting experience that you
took a moment to acknowledge
Stroman Wheeler) who helped
Webster.
for more information.
words “clean sink”
want to share.”
the diverse group of people that sat
found the National Association for
hood...doesn’t matter where we are
before her. “This is the first time
Colored Women, outsmarted Alice
we still have to fight for that right,”
throughout
her 22 hour shift in a white fami-
4
forward.”
short plays about black women and
Erica Norman reflected on
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491 7800
“It’s about that sister-
Photo Credit: Wesley H. Crump
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