In recognition of Women’s History Month, GBCA would like to honor disability rights champion Judy Heumann, who died this week at 75. Although I was involved in advocacy for the Americans with Disabilities Act, it was not until I watched the documentary, Crip Camp that I came to understand her journey and place in history. In her New York Times obituary, you can read more about her incredible fight for legislation to protect the rights of the disabled and ensure the accessibility that many of us without disabilities take for granted today.
As her personal webpage states:
“Judith “Judy” Heumann—widely regarded as “the mother” of the disability rights movement—passed away in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon of March 4, 2023. Judy was at the forefront of major disability rights demonstrations, helped spearhead the passage of disability rights legislation, founded national and international disability advocacy organizations, held senior federal government positions, co-authored her memoir, Being Heumann, and its Young Adult version, Rolling Warrior, and was featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary film, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.”
Rest in peace.
Following up on last week’s GBCA newsletter about libraries, you might be interested in the Culture war in the stacks: Librarians marshal against rising book bans article from the Washington Post and Ten Banned Books by Black Women from Word in Black.
In happier news about the literary arts and amazing women, CityLit Festival is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this month. Congratulations to CityLit Project Executive Director and GBCA Board member, Carla Du Pree for her amazing leadership, and for once again delivering a blockbuster to Baltimore. The Festival kicks off on Saturday, March 25, at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, with a full-day of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, dance, and literary inspired music. The Festival also offers writers the opportunity to hone their craft with a One-on-One, 30-Minute Editorial Critique. To sign up click here. For a full schedule of events, download the Festival flyer here.
Finally, congratulations to GBCA member Hippodrome Theater at the France Merrick Performing Arts Center, its President Ron Legler, and the amazing staff for pulling off the Chris Rock’s Selective Outrage special streamed live on Netflix last Saturday. As the Baltimore Fishbowl reported, it took a “Herculean effort." Way to show off the best of Baltimore!
Jeannie
