Herstory: African American Women’s Groups Active in 1900’s Apalachicola

On Thursday, March 16 at 6 p.m., the Apalachicola Library will host a ‘HerStory’ event with visiting professor Dr. Cynthia Patterson, speaking on her research into various women’s groups in early 1900’s Apalachicola. Patterson chiefly studied the Black and African American women’s groups that received press in the Apalachicola Times, most notably from 1901-1904. The library will hear about Dr. Patterson’s work, including oral interviews she conducted in Apalachicola before her 2019 publication in the Florida Historical Quarterly journal.

This ‘HerStory’ event is presented by PALS, The Patrons of the Apalachicola Library Society. Patterson’s March visit aligns with Women’s History Month, and the library is pleased to celebrate Patterson’s work, and the legacies of various women’s associations that exist in our city. As with all programs and events of the library, ‘HerStory’ is free and open to the public. After Dr. Patterson’s presentation, a short Q&A will follow with light refreshments.

Dr. Patterson is an Associate English professor visiting from the University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida. She is currently working on a book about the women contributors to the A.M.E. Church Review 1884-1924 (the quarterly publication of the African Methodist Episcopal church). The book is under publication review with a tentative 2024 release date.