Springfield Museums Events March
Museums à la Carte
February 11th, 12:15 pm
General Museum Event
Ida Ruth Flynn: Out on the County Road
annalise fonza, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Ida Ruth Flynn is one of 8 children born to John and Louise Webb in 1937. She was raised in Whiteville, North Carolina, by her aunt and uncle, Louise and John Ford. Together, they lived as an extended family in an area of town that she says was, "out on the county road." Following the death of her beloved uncle, whom she affectionately refers to as Daddy Ford, Ida (Pitt) Flynn moved to Springfield in 1959, joining her two brothers. Her three children joined her when they were old enough to go to school and in 1964 she married Albert T. Flynn, who was locally known as "Sarge." In this black history month lecture we will watch an excerpt of an interview with Mrs. Flynn. This interview was conducted at her home on February 1, 2008, by annalise fonza. We will discuss the historical significance of her 1979 election as president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a position that she held for ten years, and we will reflect on her dedicated membership and service to Gardner Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church.
$2 members, $4 nonmembers
Davis Auditorium, D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts
The audience is welcome to bring a lunch to enjoy during the program. Cookies and beverage are provided.