Tuesday, September 8, 2015

How do we honor Harriet Elizabeth Brown?



The Harriet Elizabeth Brown Commemoration Task Force invites community members to provide input and recommendations for how best to honor a remarkable Calvert County woman.  In 1937, Harriet Elizabeth Brown, then 30 years old, successfully challenged Calvert County Public Schools for paying African-American teachers about half of what equally qualified white teachers received.  

 Hearings will be held on September 14, October 5, and October 20. 

According to Task Force Chair, Margaret Dunkle:  “We welcome recommendations and personal stories about Harriet Elizabeth Brown and salary equity for African-American teachers in 1937.  This will help the Task Force make the best recommendations to the County Commissioners, the Governor, and the General Assembly.” 

Dates and Times of the Hearings
Two short – half-hour – public hearings will be held at Calvert Library in Prince Frederick (850 Costley Way), immediately before regular Task Force meetings:
Monday, September 14 – 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. 
Monday, October 5 – 12 noon to 12:30 p.m.

In addition, a third – and longer – hearing will be held the evening of Tuesday, October 20 – from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.  at the College of Southern Maryland in Prince Frederick (115 J.W. Williams Road, just off Route 231).  From 6:00 to 6:30 p.m., there with be sign-in and networking, with the formal hearings beginning at 6:30 p.m. The College will also videotape hearings for the historical record.

The Task Force Wants Your Ideas and Participation!   
Each hearing speaker will have three minutes to provide input and make recommendations – with up to five minutes for organizations.  There will be some time flexibility:  for example, for presenters who personally knew Ms. Brown.  The Task Force also encourages electronic submission of information and recommendations. 

To make a request to speak at a hearing, send an email to HEBTaskForce@aol.com at least five days before the event.  Please include:  (1) your name, (2) organization, if any, (3) phone number, (4) email address, and (5) the date you wish to speak (September 14, October 5, or October 20).  Anyone who does not sign up in advance will be allowed to speak if time permits, or invited to participate in a future hearing or to submit recommendations in writing.