Your Turn: Learn about other communities' history and culture
Apr. 29, 2008Last Saturday, 24 students and community members took a journey on the Underground Railroad through a trip sponsored by UCM: Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice and the Multicultural Genealogical Center (MGC). We learned about the local history of the Underground Railroad, a movement that aided people in escaping from slavery before the Civil War, and the contributions and roles of communities here in Southeastern Ohio. We also learned about the history and cultures of other communities, including Quaker, Amish and Native American. The trip had limited space and filled up quickly, and UCM hopes to partner with MGC again in the future to accommodate the growing interest in our local history and culture, particularly the experiences of people of color in the region. UCM would like to thank the following organizations and individuals, most of whom freely donated their time and energy to make this trip possible: the Multicultural Genealogical Center, including Ada Woodson Adams, president; Russell Tippett, vice-president; MGC board members: Chesterhill Mayor Richard Wetzel, Kaye Harris, Virginia Norris, Pauline Walker and Dessie Workman; also, Connie Dexter, Marlene Jenkins, Dane McCarthy, Sally Kozma, Robert Avery (president of the Coonskin Library Association), Justin Wheeler and Lou Garrett and the staff of Cheri's Diner in Chesterhill. The mission of MGC is to document the social, cultural, political, education, economical and religious contribution of multicultural and multiracial families of the Ohio River Valley (www.mgcenter.org). The mission of UCM is to engage the Ohio University and Athens communities in spiritual growth, work for social justice and community service guided by socially progressive and interfaith values (www.ucmathens.org).
