A Right Worthy Woman

By Marly Rusoff

If you are looking to be inspired, look no further than your favorite bookstore. A Right Worthy Woman is a fascinating novel by Ruth Watson based on the remarkable true story of Virginia’s Black Wall Street and the indomitable Maggie Lena Walker, the daughter of a formerly enslaved woman who became the first Black woman to charter and preside over a bank in the United States.

Publishers Weekly recently called the novel “illuminating.” And the prestigious Historical Fiction Review wrote, “ . . . A Right Worthy Woman takes its place alongside novels such as Rebecca Dwight Bruff’s Trouble the Water, illuminating African-American heroes born in strife who find the strength, fortitude, and love to lead lives touched by grace.”

An appearance by the Atlanta based author Ruth Watson will be sponsored here in Beaufort by The Pat Conroy Literary Center, in cooperation with The Black Chamber of Commerce on Friday, July 7th in the Chamber’s second floor ballroom, located at 711 Bladen Street, Beaufort. The event runs from 5-7 pm. Watson will be onstage in conversation with local author Rebecca Dwight Bruff and Dataw Island resident Marilyn Harris, admired for her work with boards of the United Way of the Lowcountry, Second Helpings, and the Boys and Girls Club.

Who is this woman Maggie Lena Walker, and why did Ruth Watson decide to devote her talent to sharing her story?

Maggie Lena Walker was ambitious and unafraid. Her childhood in 19th-century Virginia helping her mother with her laundry service opened her eyes to the overwhelming discrepancy between the Black residents and her mother’s affluent white clients. She vowed to not only secure the same kind of home and finery for herself, but she would also help others in her community achieve the same.

With her single-minded determination, Maggie buckled down and went from schoolteacher to secretary-treasurer of the Independent Order of St. Luke, founder of a newspaper, a bank, and a department store where Black customers were treated with respect. With the help of influential friends like W.E.B. DuBois and Mary McLeod, she revolutionized Richmond in ways that are still felt today. Watson decided to share her story in this stirring and intimate novel.

“Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker is a hidden figure whose story should rank high within the pantheon of American heroes or sheroes, yet she is virtually unknown by most Americans, with the exception of those from Richmond, Virginia,” said Ruth Watson in a recent interview. “ Her indomitable spirit ghosts us even today. As an African American in 1903, her name deserves to be exalted among those who believe in the nearly supernatural power of faith in God and the necessity for perseverance. We can all learn from her life.”

Come meet Ruth Watson, author of numerous novels including Blackberry Days of Summer, An Elderberry Fall, Cranberry Winter, and Strawberry Spring. A musical stage play, Blackberry Daze, is based on her debut novel. She is the recipient of the Caversham Fellowship, an artist and writer’s residency in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where she published her first children’s book in Zulu, Our Secret Bond. She is has written for Upscale, Atlanta JournalConstitution, and other publications. She is an adjunct professor and project manager, who lives with family in Atlanta, Georgia.

While the event is free, your donations to the sponsoring nonprofit will be deeply appreciated. Signed copies of the books will be available for purchase.

For info and registration: visit https:// aneveningwithruthpwatson.eventbrite.com

6/27 Joshua Hedley; Lauren Morrow, 6/29 Welcome to Babylon with Nu; Mike L!ve; Slim Soul & Friends, Tyrie; Holy City Sound Vibes, 6/30 Mr. Holland's Oats - Hall & Oates tribute, 7/1 & 7/2 Pigeons Playing Ping Pong; Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers, 7/3 Mike Quinn Superfunk, 7/7 Check Your Head - Beastie Boys tribute, 7/8 The Grateful Brothers - Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers tribute, 7/9 Oh He Dead. (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com

Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 6/22 Andy Frasco & the UN, 6/23 The Piedmont Boys, 6/24

Spin Doctors, 6/30 Easy Honey; The Thing, 7/1 & 7/2

Yacht Rock Revue, 7/3 Edwin McCain, 7/6 Flatland

Cavalry; Pony Bradshaw, 7/7 The 502s; Under the Rug, 7/8 Doom Flamingo, Mat Kearney Acoustic Trio; Marc Scibilia. (843) 886-8596 or www.the-windjammer.com

BEAUFORT/PORT ROYAL

Foolish Frog, 846 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Island. (843) 838-9300. Visit on Facebook

Luther’s Rare & Well Done, 910 Bay Street. (843) 521-1888 or www.luthersrareandwelldone.com

Q on Bay, 822 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 524-7771 or www. qonbay.com

Rosie O’Gradys Irish Pub, in Beaufort Town Center. Irish American Sports Pub & Eatery. C'mon down! Rock & Roll Lunch. Mondays 1/2 Price Burgers! Wednesday, Friday & Saturday - Karaoke. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook.

Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 379-3474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com

BLUFFTON/HILTON HEAD

Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www. bigbamboocafe.com

Captain Woody’s, 6 Target Rd., Hilton Head or 17 State of Mind St., Bluffton. www.captainwoodys.com

The Jazz Corner, Village at Wexf1ord, Hilton Head. Sundays - Deas Guyz; Mondays - A Journey Through Jazz with The Martin Lesch Band; Tuesdays - Fat Tuesdays: A Swingin' Celebration of New Orleans and Beyond; Thursdays - Lavon Stevens with Louise Spencer. 6/21 Lavon Stevens with Quiana Parler 6/23 &/6/24 Tatiana Eva-Marie 6/28 Bobby Ryder, 6/30 & 7/1 Richardo Ochoa & Acoustic Office, 7/5 Marlena Smalls with The Lavon Stevens Trio, 7/7 & 7/8 John Lumpkin Quartet with Kristen Warren honor Women of Jazz. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com

Omni Hilton Head Ocean Front in Palmetto Dunes. Buoy Bar - HH Prime - (843) 842-8000 or www. omnihotels.com

Out Of Town

The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 6/22

Death Ray Robin plays Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge; New Grounds; Death Rugby, 6/23 Shrek Rave, 6/24 Best Night Ever: Taylor's Version - a dance party from your wildest dreams, 6/30 Bilmuri - Summer Swol-Stice Invitational 2023, 7/1 Kuntry & Friends, 7/2 Five for Fighting; Brendan James, 7/3 Larry June, 7/7 Memphis May Fire; Norma Jean; Secrets & Paul, 7/8 Lo Monaco & the Talbott Brothers. (843) 408-1599 or www.musicfarm.com

The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. Sundays - The Motown Throwdown, Mondays - Slim & Friends; Tuesdays - Fusion Jonez, Wednesdays

- Grateful Dead Wednesday with The Reckoning; Thursdays - iLLA ZiLLA. 6/21 & 6/22 Dizgo does Phish, 6/23 On & On - Erykah Badu tribute with Tonya Nicole & Friends, 6/24 Gritty Flyright; Meredith Foster, 6/25 Souls Mischief; Breakbeat Lou & the Architect; DJ Mosaic,

Editors Note: Events listed here may be subject to postponement or cancellation. Please check for further information.

THEATER/FILM/DANCE

6/28 – 8/20, Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons. The Tony Award winning musical sensation comes to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove, Hilton Head. For more information and tickets, visit www.artshhi.com

Mon 7/17, Comic Melissa Villasenor at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. A comedic impressions expert, she got her start on America’s Got Talent. Two shows: 4 pm & 7:30 pm. Tickets available at www.artshhi.com

GALLERIES/ART

Now – 6/30, Of Earth & Fire, an exhibit of work by Anne M. Kennedy and Traci L. Walter at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery. 913 Bay Street, Beaufort.

Now – 7/2, Colors of the World, an exhibit of photography by Savannah Kemper at the SOBA Gallery. Corner of Church and Calhoun Streets in Old Town Bluffton. www.sobagallery.com

6/20 – 7/22, Come to the Table, an exhibit of classical still life paintings by Denise Liotta DeMarzo at Art League Gallery. Located mid-island inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head, 843-681-5060. www. artleaguehhi.org

7/3 – 7/30, From My Imagination to Yours, an exhibit of work by Virginia Cassidy at the Society of Bluffton Artists gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Opening reception 7/6, 5-7 pm. For more infor - mation, visit https://www.facebook.com/ ZenDenArtistry

BOOKS & WRITERS

Tues 6/27, Writing Family Stories Workshop, sponsored by the Pat Conroy Literary Center, led by local author Estelle Ford-Williamson. From 5 –7pm. Writing Family Stories 2 is a continuation of a class offered in February; but previous participation is not required for this workshop. Limited to 15 participants, with options for both in-person and remote (Zoom) attendance. $45/person. Learn more and register in advance at https://writingfamilystories2_workshop.eventbrite.com

Thur 6/29, Polly Stewart, author of The Good Ones, in conversation with retired FBI special agent turned thriller writer Dana Ridenour, author of the Lexie Montgomery Series. This free event is sponsored by the Pat Conroy Literary Center in partnership with Beaufort Bookstore, at 5 pm at 2127 Boundary St., Ste 15. Books will be available for sale and signing. Please call Beaufort Bookstore to reserve your seat: 843-525-1066.

Fri 7/7, Ruth Watson, author of A Right Worthy Woman, in conversation with Rebecca Bruff and Marilyn Harris at the Black Chamber of Commerce, 711 Bladen St, Beaufort, from 5-7pm. To register, visit https://aneveningwithruthpwatson.eventbrite.com

Music

Sat 6/24, “Broadway Comes to the Lowcountry” at USCB Center for the Arts. Led by vocalist Leonora Eve and sponsored by the Beaufort History Museum. Hear selections from Hamilton, Porgy & Bess, Ragtime, and more. Admission for museum members, $35. General admission, $40. Online registration/ticketing begins 6/10 and is required. Visit https://beauforthistorymuseum.wildapricot.org to reserve yours.

Tuesdays, 6/27, 7/11, 7/25, 8/8, 8/22, 9/5. Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra’s Jazz in the Park series. At 7:30 pm in Lowcountry Celebration Park. These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, visit hhso.org or call 843-842-2055.

Other Events

Sat 6/24, Lunch and Learn Gardening Series at the Port Royal Farmers Market, starting at noon. Free and open to the public, around the Gazebo. Bring a folding chair! Sponsored by the Lowcountry Master Gardeners Association.

Wednesdays, Now, to 6/29, Drop-in Medicaid Help Sessions, Computer Lab, St. Helena Branch Library. Assistance with Medicaid renewal and enrollment process. Help is free and provided by League of Women Voters volunteers, no appointment necessary. Information on the end of automatic renewals (aka Medicaid unwinding) and on Medicaid expansion efforts in the state. 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island.

Fri 6/30, Chill with a Cop, sponsored by the Beaufort Police Department in Pigeon Point Park, from 5 – 7pm. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Sat 7/8, Maye River Quilters will meet at 10 am at Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1Cooperative Way in Hardeeville. Social time begins at 9:30. To attend as a guest, email RSVP to mayeriverquilters@ gmail.com. For more information and for membership forms, call 843-705-9590.

First Saturday of the Month, Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud at Port Royal Farmers Market. DAYLO students and other volunteers will read to young children between 9am and noon. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal.

Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For info call the Nature Center at 843-8387437. Tours free are and park entry fees apply.

Second Friday, Beaufort Drum Circle 2nd Friday of every month. No experience necessary. All are welcome. Bring a chair and drum or other percussive device. If you don't have one, we have a bunch of extras. Facilitator Eric Roy will lead us in traditional rhythms and others 6:30 – 8pm, under the Gazebo in Waterfront Park. For more information visit beaufortscdrumcircle@gmail.com and check our Facebook page.

Third Thursday, TECHconnect is a monthly networking event for professionals working in and around technology. Come and join on the for the conversation at BASEcamp 500 Carteret 5:307:30pm. 843-470-3506. www.beaufortdigital.com

Thursdays, History Tours of Fort Mitchell by the Heritage Library, 10am. $12/Adult $7/Child. 843-686-6560

Ongoing, Beaufort Tree Walk sponsored by the Lady’s Island Garden Club. Meander through the historic Old Point neighborhood, enjoying some unique and noteworthy trees. The “walk” takes about an hour and is a little over a mile, starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret Streets and ending in Waterfront Park. Booklets with a map and info about each tree available FREE at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.

Daun daun@dcgilbert.com melissa@dcgilbert.com Sam samuel@dcgilbert.com