Pinkett Exhibit Development Continues

By Priscilla Ward, Summer Intern

Everything is finally coming together.  I am finalizing the pages of Flaxie Pinkett's audacious life. Norris Dodson, brought a host of materials to the Humanities Council last Tuesday. We sat down to talk about how his aunt impacted his life personally, as we went through a collection of files folders. Each of the file folders seemed to unveil a different aspect of Pinkett's dynamic life, as well as a different response from Norris, as I inundated him with questions. Where? When? Who? And How?  There was a sense of pride as Mr. Dodson took time to share with me his memories of his aunt.

Mr. Dodson also gave me a few of Flaxie's relatives to contact. Some of whom he believes may be able to reckon with the history of this woman's life from a clearer vantage point. This week I will interview Tracy Ferguson, Flaxie's great niece. I opened my email with delight, when I found that Tracy was
prompted to contact me after reading my blog post.

The online exhibition will feature Flaxie's family, education, career and her legacy. I have selected the photos I would like to use to represent each aspect of her life. Now it's time to begin scanning and finalize my research. Then my keypad and I will have a love/ hate relationship as I combine all of the information I've collected, into an exhibit. When people visit the exhibition I want them to understand Flaxie's determination and drive, how she had the will to help transform her community, and how she encouraged her colleagues to shake off apathy. I want the site to encourage leaders of all ages to make the change they want to see in the world inevitable. 

(The above image of the Pinkett family is courtesy of Norris Dodson.)