A Lesson in HIstory

3/17/2022

Eighth graders and juniors enhanced their research about the Civil Rights Movement in Virginia with two special speakers this afternoon.

Dr. Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby shared their connection discovered through the Coming to the Table Movement. A descendant of enslavers in Virginia, Kilby was inspired to connect with descendants of persons her family enslaved — which was Baldwin's family. Baldwin was also key in the fight for integration in Virginia as the 13-year-old plantiff in the case Betty Ann Kilby, et al., vs. Warren County (Va.) Board of Education. The two women wrote a book together, "Cousins."
Baldwin and Kilby reminded the girls of the importance of learning history and growing from it. It was in history classes that both women were pushed to learn more — ultimately bringing them together.
"Know your history and don't be afraid of it," Baldwin told the girls. "I don't want you to be afraid of anything."

History teachers Maggie Nunn, Gaby Faundez, and Emily Wright have worked together on this project.

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