More Than a Color: the Marginalization of African Beauty Through History

A Road Scholar Program by Karen Anderson

Karen Anderson
When

Jun 23, 2024
3:00pm–4:00pm

Where

Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center
1011 E Ash St
Springfield, IL 62703

Cost

Free. Hybrid.
Attend in-person or virtually.

This presentation takes participants on a walk-through history telling the stories of some women whom many may not know. 

 

Women of Color

Sarah Baartman (no real-life images available), Ann Malone, and Sarah Breedlove (aka Madam CJ Walker)

Anderson will speak about the women of color in 1760 French America who figured out how to legally free themselves from slavery only to be bound by government laws, women like Sarah Baartman who had to choose between being a circus oddity or a slave, and how women like Sarah Breedlove and Ann Malone changed the way women of African descent saw themselves—how these women redefined beauty. Anderson will also reflect on a recent development: our society has started to see women of color as beautiful.

Anderson will illuminate history filled with women of color who refused to view themselves through social limitation. She hopes to inspire others to decide for themselves what beauty is.

This event is Free and Open to the public. For more information, please contact Sarah Davis at sarah.e.davis@illinois.gov.

Learn more about Karen Anderson, this program, and how to book it here.

Host Organization