February’s FOCUS forum honored Black History Month by featuring the personal and historic accounts of Harriet Tubman’s life as a famed abolitionist and political activist by two of ‘Aunt Harriet’s’ relatives, great-great-great grandniece Michele Jones Galvin and great-great-great grandnephew Marc Jones.
Ms. Jones Galvin and Mr. Jones spoke to Tubman’s historical contributions beyond the Underground Railroad, from supporting John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry and being a Union soldier, scout and nurse in the Civil War to founding the first African American nursing home in Central New York, the John Brown Home for the Aged and Indigent Colored People. They also discussed how Tubman’s life, challenges and accomplishments impact their personal and professional lives as descendants. They expertly conveyed lessons learned focusing on family, fortitude and service to others while navigating diversity, equity, and inclusion barriers of the present.
You can check out their websites and purchase Michele’s book here:
Michele Jones Galvin: mosesofherpeople.com
Marc Jones: dreissigapparel.com
Panelists: Michele Jones Galvin, FOCUS Board of Directors and Co-Author of Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet Moses of Her People; and Marc Jones, President and CEO of Dreissig Apparel Inc. and Fan Hands LLC.
Moderator: Evelyn Ingram, Director of Community Relations, Central New York Region of Wegmans Food Markets