Harriet Tubman Museum

02/01/2025

Why does Black History Month matter, and why does representation matter?

In her TEDx Talk from 2017, Kiah Duggins reminds us of the importance of seeing role models to achieve our aspirations. "Seeing a physical validation of your dreams can give you the courage that you need to make those dreams a reality."

Kiah's message resounds as a response across time to the sad politicization of her death and the deaths of the 67 victims in Wednesday's tragic crash in DC, construed without evidence to be a result of diversity efforts.

At the start of , please consider amplifying her inspiring message about why inclusiveness matters rather than messages intended to sow division and disparage diversity. The full video is a masterclass in choosing community over chaos.

Condolences to all of the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.

Black history is American history, 365 days a year, and our society's diversity is one of its most resilient strengths. Rest in peace and power, Professor Princess Kiah.

https://bit.ly/BHMkiahduggins

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Kiah Duggins, 30, was one of the victims of the American Airlines collision with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River that killed 67 people on Wednesday evening. She earned her law degree at Harvard University Harvard Law School where she was the President of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, worked as a civil rights attorney with the Civil Rights Corps in DC, previously served as a White House intern for the Let Girls Learn initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama, competed as a Miss Kansas top 10 contestant, and was looking forward to a new stage of her career as a law professor at Howard University.

"Underrepresented students are not underrepresented because they are less smart or less capable. Black, Hispanic, native or indigenous, first generation, undocumented and low income students are just as smart and just as capable as the students who are currently getting the opportunities that I want these underrepresented students to have as well.
Secondly, I know that seeing a physical validation of your dreams can give you the courage that you need to make those dreams a reality. For example, when I was a little girl and I saw a Black princess, it gave me the belief that I could be a Black princess as well.
And thirdly, powerful networks can be created when people share the knowledge, the time and the resources that they have and reach outside of themselves...
We can disrupt systems of oppression by sharing the knowledge and time and resources that we have, by listening to people and by reaching out to our communities when we need help. ..
I've learned that we have to be intentional about creating social capital when unjust systems won't, and that we can help solve the world's big problems by sharing our own little gifts. ..
When we do not see the metaphorical Black princesses in our lives, sometimes we just have to become them."

Harriet Tubman Museum

49 seconds · Clipped by Cindy Mullock · Original video "The Princess Project | Kiah Duggins | TEDxWichitaStateUniversity" by TEDx Talks

01/21/2025

In honor of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. and in light of the recent passing of President Jimmy Carter, today we reflect on the parallels and intersections between their families. The two families were long intertwined, and Carter both posthumously awarded MLK the Presidential Medal of Freedom and also designated MLK’s birth home and neighborhood in Atlanta, GA as a national historic site in 1980.

The alignment of these two human rights and civil rights advocates demonstrates the importance of working locally in our own communities to effect global change, the power of every individual to make an enduring impact, and the urgency of preserving spaces that are vital to recounting Black history and the long struggle for freedom and equality. We still have great lessons to learn from these two American heroes, whose messages are just as resonant today.

The life and legacy of Jimmy Carter is deeply connected to that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. President Carter .

12/13/2024

The Muse of the Museum: Lois Smith 1929 - 2024

Please join us in celebrating the life and mourning the passing of Ms. Lois Smith, the Muse of the Harriet Tubman Museum, whose soul shifted up an octave on November 23 at 95 years young. Still leading the Macedonia Baptist Church choir and playing the keys at service throughout this year, Miss Lois's mastery of gospel, jazz, and the blues made her a fixture at Cape May's Exit Zero Jazz Festival, the Brown Room in Congress Hall, and the Chalfonte, among other local music events and venues.

Her memorial service will be held this Saturday, December 14 at 11am at Macedonia Baptist Church Cape May, 630 Lafayette Street in Cape May, NJ, with fellowship and light bites after at the Church. Parking will be available at Wise-Anderson Park on Lafayette Street. Additional parking at Spilker Funeral Home on Washington Street or street parking.

At 2pm, after the Church memorial service and fellowship, please join us next door at the Harriet Tubman Museum to continue the celebration of Miss Lois's life with a musical tribute and community. Eddie Morgan & Friends will be playing on the porch of the Harriet Tubman Museum from 2-4pm and we invite those who loved and played with Miss Lois to share a song and memories, as well.

Heat lamps will keep the conditions moderate, but please dress appropriately for outdoors. We look forward to sharing Lois's spirit, light, memory and love with all who adored her.

10/11/2024

The Harriet Tubman Museum joins the Macedonia Baptist Church Cape May and the extended Cape May community in celebrating the life of Mrs. Barbara Freels, who passed away on Sunday at 101 years old. A long-time member and missionary of the Franklin Street Allen AME Church and a member of Macedonia Baptist Church for the past several years, the always-animated Mrs. Freels left a remarkable legacy and impact on a vast community of people who loved her. Her service is being held today at Macedonia Baptist Church at 11:15am, with a viewing before the service. Her obituary and service details are in the link in comments and there is a livestream option as well.

Sharing our deepest condolences with the broad community of lives she touched and holding in our hearts today her family and loved ones who shared in her light.

09/30/2024

TONIGHT! Join Cape May Stage and African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania for a free reading at 7pm of Leaders & Liberators -- featuring Harriet Tubman, Stephen Smith, and William Whipper in a conversation among abolitionists in Cape May!