In March 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to protest voting restrictions for blacks. Five months later, Congress passed the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965 enforcing the right granted to all Americans by the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.

In 2005, the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities presents three timely, community-building events that will bring sustained attention to these important issues.

The Legacy of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Join us for an afternoon of public conversations on Saturday, October 29th starting at 12:30pm at Boston College's Robsham Theater. Participants will include Congressman John Lewis, hailed as one of the "Big Six" leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as Taylor Branch, Roger Clegg, Wade Henderson, Alex Keyssar, Americo Santiago, Abigail Thernstrom, Mark Whitaker, Juan Williams, Patricia Williams, Harris Wofford, and Alan Wolfe. Three moderated discussions will be organized around the following subthemes:
  (1) From Civil Rights to Voting Rights: The History
  (2) The Social and Political Impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
  (3) Voting Rights and Electoral Politics Today

For more information or to register for this free public symposium go to mfh.org/retracingthestruggle/

A Symbolic Re-enactment of the 1965 March
from Selma to Montgomery
On October 30th at 1pm, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia will lead a commemorative march from the First Church in Roxbury to Boston Common, where more than 5,000 people are expected to participate in an effort to better understand the struggle for civil rights.  To participate in this historic event, register at mfh.org/retracingthestruggle/

Boston's Farewell to The Atlantic Monthly
After 148 years The Atlantic Monthly next spring will be relocating its offices from Boston to Washington, D.C.  You are invited to help honor this venerable institution, one that has contributed tremendously to the humanities and to the life of the Commonwealth and its capital.  On October 29th this tribute dinner at Boston College will be the only public celebration of the The Atlantic. 

The theme for the evening will be The Atlantic’s involvement with civil rights, and Taylor Branch will deliver the keynote address. A special exhibit will be on display of the history the magazine’s civil rights coverage, which includes writings of W.E.B. Du Bois and Frederick Douglass, reports of the civil rights movement in the 20th Century, and commentary on present-day racial discrimination and prejudice.

Proceeds of this benefit dinner will be used to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth through programs funded by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities.  For more information visit mfh.org/retracingthestruggle

Massachusetts History Lecture
Daughters of Liberty: Massachusetts Women in the American Revolution
Monday, October 17, 2005
National Heritage Museum, Lexington

3:30pm Refreshments, 4pm Lecture
Free and open to the public.  Seating is limited. Please call (617) 923-1678 for reservations.

Lecture by Carol Berkin, Professor of History at Baruch College and The Graduate Center, CUNY, and author of Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence.

Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities and the National Heritage Museum.

Humanities Calendar

For information on other humanities events in your region, go to www.mfh.org/newsandevents/calendar.

Third Annual Commonwealth Humanities Lecture
Thursday, March 30, 2006
National Heritage Museum, Lexington

The Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, in partnership with MassINC, will select one outstanding Massachusetts humanities scholar or writer to deliver the third annual Commonwealth Humanities Lecture.  This honor recognizes a significant contribution to the study of public life and civic affairs in the Commonwealth.

Nominations may be submitted via email (chl@mfh.org); fax 413-584-8454 or by regular mail to MFH, 66 Bridge St, Northampton, MA  01060.  Please provide the name and address of the individual you are nominating and tell us why he or she should be honored with this award.  Nominees must live or work in Massachusetts.  The lectureship carries a $5,000 stipend.  The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 9, 2005. 

For more info visit mfh.org/specialprojects/chl/

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Main Office: Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities 66 Bridge Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-8440 413-584-8454 fax

Metro Boston Office: Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities 101 Walnut Street Watertown, MA 02472 617-923-1678 617-923-8426 fax

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