“Any time while I was a slave, if one minute’s freedom had been offered to me, and I had been told I must die at the end of that minute, I would have taken it—just to stand one minute on God’s earth a free woman—I would.”
Emma Sunnerberg, Massachusetts College of Art
This Summer and Fall, The Du Bois Freedom Center is Proud to Be Honoring, Celebrating, and Sharing the Story, Life, and Legacy of
Elizabeth Freeman
Abby Glover, Massachusetts College of Art
Born into slavery, Mumbet as she was known, never learned to read or write but she was inspired by the revolutionary ideas of liberty and equality.
She enlsited the help of abolitionist lawyer Theodore Sedgwick to plead her case in a cour of law.
In August of 1781 the Berkshire County Court of Common Please in the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley (her enslavers) ruled in her favor.
Upon securing her freedom she renamed herself and is now recognized as Elizabeth Freeman. Elizabeth would go on to be a long-standing and free resident of Stockbridge Massachuisetts.
We Invite You to Join Us for
Any of Our Special Events
as We Explore the History of the First Enslaved Woman to
Win Her Freedom in a Court of Law in Massachusetts.
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Elizabeth Freeman Exhibit in Collaboration with Massachusetts College of Art
10.21 7:00-8:00PM
An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.
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"Elizabeth Freeman's Declaration of Independence" A Family Reading with Author Jana Laiz
10.21 7:00-8:00PM
An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.
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Enslaved and Freed A Panel Discussion at The Mount
10.21 7:00-8:00PM
An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.
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Mumbet- a Reading with The Berkshire Theatre Group
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Town Hall Unveiling of a Permanent Interactive Kiosk Celebrating Elizabeth Freeman
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Open House
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