Museum Presents Final Spring Lecture: All Aboard: How Sarah E. Ray Integrated the Boblo Boats
April 12, 2024 (Toledo, Ohio) – The National Museum of the Great Lakes invites the community to its final installment of its Spring Lecture Series, presented by Impact Employment Solutions. All Aboard: How Sarah E. Ray Integrated the Boblo Boats sheds light on the courageous story of Sarah E. Ray, an African American woman whose defiance against racial discrimination aboard a Boblo Boat in Detroit left an indelible mark on history.
Desiree Cooper, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and esteemed author, will lead the lecture, uncovering Ray’s remarkable journey. Often referred to as "Detroit's Other Rosa Parks," 75 years ago, 24-year-old Ray was denied a seat on the segregated Boblo boat, SS Columbia. Her fight ultimately led to a landmark legal victory in the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948. Cooper's meticulous research, in partnership with filmmaker Aaron Schillinger, provides a comprehensive understanding of Ray's legacy and her pivotal role in the battle against racial injustice.
"We are thrilled to host this important lecture as part of our Spring Series," said Carrie Sowden, Archaeology and Research Director at the National Museum of the Great Lakes. "Sarah E. Ray's story is a vital piece of American history, and it's crucial that we educate our community about her remarkable contributions, which occurred less than an hour away from our museum. Ray's bravery and determination paved the way for the end of legal segregation in the United States, making her an unsung hero of the civil rights movement."
Cooper, known for her insightful storytelling and dedication to amplifying marginalized voices, brings a wealth of expertise to the presentation. As co-founder of The Sarah E. Ray Project alongside Schillinger, Cooper has played a pivotal role in raising awareness of Ray's legacy, resulting in numerous accolades and recognitions, including Ray's induction into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame and the establishment of dedicated archives at the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library.
The lecture will take place on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 7 p.m. and is offered as a hybrid event with in-person and virtual attendance options available. While the event is free, registration is required. Donations to support the museum's initiatives are welcomed.
Don't miss this opportunity to dive deep into the inspiring tale of Sarah E. Ray and her fight for equality. Join us as we honor her legacy and reflect on the enduring impact of her courageous actions.
For more information and to register for the lecture, please visit the nmgl.org/events.
About the National Museum of the Great Lakes: Founded in 1944, the Great Lakes Historical Society has been preserving our shared cultural history by publishing a quarterly journal Inland Seas® since 1945; by operating a maritime museum since 1952; by offering educational programs to the general public since 1956; by conducting underwater archaeological research across the Great Lakes since 2001; and by managing the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship since 2014 and Museum Tug Ohio since 2019. The opening of the National Museum of the Great Lakes enables the Great Lakes Historical Society to continue its mission to preserve and make known the important history of the Great Lakes.
WHAT: 2024 Spring Lecture Series presented by Impact Employment Solutions: All Aboard: How Sarah E. Ray Integrated the Boblo Boats
WHEN: May 2, 2024, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
WHERE: National Museum of the Great Lakes
1701 Front St., Toledo, OH 43605 Or, Online via Zoom
Registration required at: nmgl.eventbrite.com or nmgl.org/events
ADMISSION: FREE (Donations are encouraged and can be given upon registration.)
MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Streichert, 419-460-8181