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Clinton Lecture to Focus on a Hidden Figure of the March on Washington

On Thursday, Jan. 11, Clinton residents and history buffs will be able to get the chance to hear the story of one of the hidden figures behind one of American history’s most famous moments, Anna Arnold Hedgeman.

The free event, which is hosted by the Henry Carter Hull Library but held at 7 p.m. at the Clinton Town Hall, will feature a lecture by author Jennifer Scanlon, Ph.D., on Hedgeman, who helped organize the 1963 March on Washington at which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

According to a press release on the event, “A demanding feminist, devout Christian, and savvy grassroots civil rights organizer, Anna Arnold Hedgeman played a key role in more than half a century of social justice initiatives. Although she was frequently an outsider—a woman among men, a black American among whites, and a secular Christian among clergy—Hedgeman brought all her identities to the table—and changed her country for the better.”

Library Adult Programming Coordinator Sarah Borgnis-Tobin said she first contacted Scanlon, a professor at Bowdoin College, about doing an event in Clinton after seeing the author speak at a previous engagement. Borgnis-Tobin said she regularly looks at other events to see if they would be a good fit in Clinton, and “thought this event would be nice to have with Martin Luther King Day coming up.”

“I think this is something people will like,” said Borgnis-Tobin. “It’s an opportunity to hear someone not from around here.”

Borgnis-Tobin said she became interested in the story because she sees Anna Arnold Hedgeman as a hidden figure in American history.

“The lecture portrays someone who worked very hard on something everyone knows about, but many don’t know her,” Borgnis-Tobin said.

Borgnis-Tobin also said the lecture appealed to her because she believes the story ties into “today’s political climate, where people are coming forward with untold stories.”

Borgnis-Tobin said the event will be held at the Town Hall as opposed to the library due to her hope to draw a large crowd. In addition to the lecture, Scanlon will have copies of her book, Until There is Justice: The Life of Anna Arnold Hedgeman, available to be purchased and signed.

Borgnis-Tobin said the library events that have to do with history are “always very popular.” While the event is a lecture by a college professor, Borgnis-Tobin said she believed that the event would be suitable for all ages.