Mankato – Minnesota Writers Series: It Took Courage

Join us at the Blue Earth County Historical Society in Mankato as we welcome acclaimed scholar Dr. Christopher P. Lehman, author of the recently published “It Took Courage: Eliza Winston’s Quest for Freedom” (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2024). Dr. Lehman will discuss the moving and impactful life of Eliza Winston with the event moderator, Stacy Wells.

Dr. Lehman will be available for book signing and conversation after the event. Be sure to show up early for the event – the first 25 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of “It Took Courage” or “Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North Star State,” also by Dr. Lehman and the winner of the 2020 Minnesota Book Award for Minnesota Nonfiction.

About the book:
“It Took Courage” examines the life of Eliza Winston, an enslaved woman from Mississippi who, in 1860, appealed for her freedom before a judge in Minnesota and won. Previous research and considerations of Winston have examined her life and the impact of her case from other perspectives, including the abolitionists who helped Winston petition for her freedom and then claimed more credit than they were due, as well as white Minnesotans who reacted violently after learning the decision of the case. While these accounts have centered on the effect of Winston’s freedom on Minnesota politics, “It Took Courage” uncovers the life of Eliza Winston, her resilience, and her powerful self-advocacy. Dr. Lehman’s book offers us a new account of Eliza Winston, from the tragedies of her youth to her enslavement by the family of President Andrew Jackson, to her journey from the American South to Minnesota and the aftermath of the trial.

About the author:
Christopher P. Lehman is a professor of ethnic studies at St. Cloud State University, where he has been a faculty member since 2002. An historian, Dr. Lehman’s research focuses on American popular culture, representation of African Americans throughout U.S. history, and the struggle of African American equality. He is the author of seven historical nonfiction books and his most recent works, “It Took Courage” and “Slavery’s Reach” investigate the profound impact that slavery had in Minnesota and across the United States.

About the moderator:
Stacy Wells is a dedicated educator and equity thought leader with experience as a leader in the public and private sectors, K-12 teacher and administrator, higher education faculty member, and consultant. She is the co-founder of Love & Struggle, LLC, which consults with organizations to embed equity and create racially just environments, and co-author of “WRITE on RACE to Be RIGHT on RACE Resource Journaling Guide.” Stacy is the Chief Health Equity Director-Direct Care & Treatment at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Registration

Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org

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