ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE ANNOUNCES 2009 PRESIDENT’S LECTURE SERIES PRESENTATION

Actress Kathryn Woods brings the brave work of icon Sojourner Truth into perspective for Juneteenth

SAN ANTONIO (May 15, 2009) --- St. Philip’s College hosts a program of theater in honor of Sojourner Truth June 18 at 10 a.m. in the Watson Fine Arts Center on 1801 Martin Luther King Drive.

The College’s President’s Lecture Series event is Sojourner Truth: A Woman Ain’t I? The actress performing the presentation that reflects the hard life and brave work of suffragist/abolitionist Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) during the last quarter of her inspirational life is Kathryn Woods.

Sojourner Truth is an American icon for rising above 29 years of slavery under five “owners” to educate, rename and re-invent herself for a selfless life of persuasive speaking on the concept of self-determination for all.

Sojourner Truth’s legacy was powerfully revived in April when First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the oversized bronze portrait bust of Truth that is the first sculpture to honor an African-American woman in the U.S. Capitol.

The Sojourner Truth program at the college coincides with the observance of Juneteenth that is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the date that slaves in Galveston first learned about the Emancipation Proclamation. Woods will also participate in a question-and-answer session after her performance.

“Ms. Woods’ portrayal of Sojourner Truth will be an inspiring and illuminating experience for our students and a true reflection of our commitment to a meaningful celebration of Juneteenth and its historical significance to our community and St. Philip’s College,” said Dr. Burton R. Crow, the college’s dean of enrollment management.

The production’s title is a play on words from Truth’s signature "Ain’t I a Woman?" speech that contrasted the treatment of white and black women while supporting the global feminist movement. That speech is as associated with Truth as the Gettysburg Address speech is with her contemporary, President Abraham Lincoln.

The St. Philip’s College President’s Lecture Series provides opportunities for the college and community to hear noted speakers’ perspectives on local and global issues once each fall, spring and summer. The forum is free and attracts students, faculty and staff from the college in addition to members of the local community. For information on the program at St. Philip’s College, call Dr. Burton Crow at (210) 486-2303. Image (Courtesy image of Kathryn Woods)

Websites/Resources related to this story include:

1)Alamo Colleges-St. Philip’s College; 2) SPC President's Lecture Series; 3) Remarks by First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama at the Sojourner Truth bust unveiling; and 4) Architect of the U.S. Capitol's background on Sojourner Truth.

About St. Philip’s: Bishop James Steptoe Johnston of the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of the West Texas Diocese founded Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College in 1898. Today, Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is a multi-campus institution of the Alamo Colleges and serves a semester enrollment of nearly 10,000 credit and more than 6,000 continuing education students. Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s is a Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution and is the only college in the nation that carries this dual designation. As “A Point of Pride in the Community,” Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is among the oldest and most diverse community colleges in the United States.