Exhibit: "Friends and Helpers: Women and W.E.B. Du Bois"
NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 2/15/11
CONTACT : LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR, (413) 545-0162

UMASS AMHERST LIBRARIES HOST
EXHIBIT: “FRIENDS AND HELPERS: WOMEN AND W.E.B. DU BOIS”
Amherst, MA – The UMass Amherst Libraries host an exhibit, “Friends and Helpers: Women and W.E.B. Du Bois” through April 10, 2011, on Floor 25, Special Collections and University Archives, Du Bois Library. The exhibit explores Du Bois’ various relationships with significant women in his life including his wife and daughter, friends, secretaries, and colleagues.
In his autobiography, W.E.B. Du Bois described the importance of his relationships with women: “most of my friends and helpers have been women; from my mother, aunts and cousins, to my fellow teachers, students, secretaries, and dreamers toward a better world.”
Shirley Graham Du Bois, the wife of W.E.B Du Bois, taught African literature and creative writing in the early years of the Afro-American Studies Department at UMass Amherst. One of the women who worked with Dr. Du Bois in his later years, Bettina Aptheker, gives a talk “W.E.B. Du Bois: Personal Stories/Political Reflections,” at the Cape Cod Lounge in the Student Union on Monday, February 28.
The exhibit hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Danielle Kovacs at dkovacs@library.umass.edu or (413) 545-2784.
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Last Edited: 15 February 2011

