In 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote: “ We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.” What he could have written is “We hold these truths to be self evident that ‘all white male land-owners are created equal.’” Women didn’t have a place at the table. They didn’t even have the right to vote until the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920.
After the Civil War ended in 1865, cities opened up opportunities for women. They not only broke barriers in the work force but they participated in public protest.
And often, at the heart of the protest were songs–some began as poems—but whether a song’s lyrics or a poem, what was often expressed was the struggle of timeless demands for respect and the hope for a better life.
John Steinbeck said, “We learn a great deal about people by listening to their music. Listen to their songs, for into the songs go the anger, fears and frustrations, the hopes and aspirations.”
Come enjoy the music of Woody Guthrie, Mahalia Jackson, Diana Jones and others. Listen to the songs that united workers and became anthems for the Labor Movement on Tuesday, December 3rd, 7pm, when Lehman College presents Charles R. Hale’s “Rise Up Singing: Women in the Labor Movement,” a multimedia show, which will be performed in The Lovinger Theater, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, Bronx, NY.
Joining Charles will be a great cast of talented performers including, Honor Finnegan, Jack O’Connell, Koro Koroye, Vincent Cross, Antoinette Montague, Diana Jones, Annette Homann, Niamh Hyland and Sharp Radway.
There will be a reception immediately following the show.
Directions
By Train:
IRT No. 4 or the IND “D” line to Bedford Park Boulevard. The campus is a three-minute walk to the west. For more information about subway service to the Lehman campus, call the New York City Transit
Authority at (718) 330-1234. Metro North’s Harlem line has a local stop at the Botanical Gardens station. The campus is about 12 blocks due west on Bedford Park Boulevard. Call Metro North for information about fares and schedules (212) 532-4900.
By Car: http://www.lehman.edu/about/maps-and-directions.php
