95 years ago today, Pregnant Mary Turner was lynched. Seven years after that, on the exact same date, Malcolm X was born.

95 years ago today, Pregnant Mary Turner was lynched. Seven years after that, on the exact same date, Malcolm X was born..

via 95 years ago today, Pregnant Mary Turner was lynched. Seven years after that, on the exact same date, Malcolm X was born..

Address by Marcus Garvey at the Palace Casino

Address by Marcus Garvey at the Palace Casino

[Negro World, 21 June 1919]

Over three thousand persons, members and friends of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, assembled at the Palace Casino, 135th street and Madison Avenue, New York City, Sunday evening, June 15, to greet Mr. Marcus Garvey, president-general and International Organizer of the association, who has just returned to the city after an extended lecture in Michigan, Virginia and Canada.

Mr. Edgar M. Grey, general secretary of the association, called the meeting to order a few minutes after nine o’clock, by the singing of the opening hymn, “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains.”  After a few brief remarks by the chairman, a musical program consisting of one violin solo by Master William Wilkinson, and a piano solo by Miss Irene Callender was rendered.  Mr. George Tobias, treasurer of the association, was next presented to the
audience and surprised his hearers and friends by revealing unsuspected talent as a reader, when he gave an impressive rendition of Wendell Phillips’ great oration on Toussaint L’Ouverture.

The next speaker introduced was Miss Henrietta Vinton Davis, the popular and talented elocutionist ofWashington, D.C., who, as a tribute to the children who had so splendidly entertained for the evening, recited a poem entitled “Little Brown Baby with Sparkling Eyes,” written by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, poet laureate of the Negro Race.

 

In order to make the recitation as realistic as possible, Miss Davis used for the occasion a large colored doll manufactured by Berry & Ross, who had very kindly loaned it for the occasion.  At the end of the recitation Miss Davis made a stirring appeal for support for the factory that was doing so much to inculcate a spirit of race pride in the Negro race.

Following this the chairman asked for a silver collection, which was heartily and liberally responded to.  Taking as his theme, the subject of race pride, the chairman then made a few short and cryptic remarks in which he pointed out that the principal concern of the race was not so much in finding out how to die but in learning how to live.

At the close of his address the chairman then introduced as the next speaker the person whose commanding personality was responsible for the vast assemblage that evening, Mr. Marcus Garvey.  Mr. Garvey began his address by thanking all those who had supported the officers of the association, while he was absent touring the West, Canada and the South.  He then told how efforts were being made by enemies of the association to discredit both himself and the organization.  He specifically named Mr. William Bridges, editor of the “Challenge Magazine,” and a well known stepladder orator on Lenox avenue, as having assailed him in many ways while he was away.  On his return to the city he had taken up the gauntlet and challenged the editor of the “Challenge” to meet him in open debate, which Mr. Bridges at first declined, but under pressure of public opinion was compelled to accept.  Mr. Garvey then outlined the debate which had taken place the night before at the corner of 138th street and Lenox avenue, and which he assured his audience resulted in the complete and inglorious defeat of his opponent.  The speaker also told of the plots engineered against himself and the organization by a cabal of envious and malicious individuals, who being incapable of thinking internationally, were doing everything of an underhand nature to wreck the organization; but inasmuch as the organization had firmly established itself in a majority of the States of the Union, the islands of West Indies, several republics of South and Central America and on the west coast of Africa, it was next to impossible for any group of men or any government to entirely destroy it.  He was there that evening, he said, for the purpose of defending himself and the organization, and to give a detailed explanation of the feasibility of the Black Star Line project.

He then roused his audience to the highest pitch of enthusiasm when he recited to them the prowess of the Black race and how it was possible for the scattered millions of Negroes all over the world to accomplish the liberation of Africa by supporting the plans of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.  Dramatically striking his chest, Mr. Garvey convincingly assured his hearers that all cowardice had departed from his anatomy, “for,” he said, “if I could have died on the field of Flanders of France in the white man’s cause, I can die in America fighting for myself and my race.”  At this a storm of applause rent the building.  Men and women rose to their feet and handkerchiefs were waved over head as every individual vied with his neighbor to show that the orator had transmitted the spirit of courage from himself to the entire audience.

After scathingly condemning those who were opposing the organization as “white men’s niggers” and cowards, the speaker told of the great work that was being done by the Newport News branch, which had pledged itself to subscribe $100,000 for the purpose of making the Black Star Line a reality.  At the close of his address, which lasted for over an hour and generously applauded throughout, Mr. Garvey made an eloquent and impressive appeal for funds to help the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities’ League in the prosecution of its many plans for the liberation of the Negroes of the world and the founding of a Negro nation on the continent of Africa.  The audience showed their sincere appreciation of the evening’s exercises by subscribing most liberally.

Cultural Tourism DC immortalizes Henrietta Vinton Davis with a plaque on her former residence

Cultural Tourism DC announced that it will unveil a plaque at the former residence of the Honorable Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis on May 8, 2010 at 2pm.

Miss Davis’ residence has been a part of Cultural Tourism DC’s African American Heritage Trail for nearly a decade. The recognition comes on the heels of a “Livication” program honoring Miss Davis at Washington, DC’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library held on Sunday March 14, 2010. The program was a collaborative effort between the Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation and the Martin Luther King, Jr, Memorial Library. The event was the kickoff for an exhibit recognizing Miss Davis’ significance as an elocutionist, dramatic reader and Shakespearean actor.

Her career marked a turning point in the history of Africans in America. She earned a living as a performing artist at a time when there were few with the training and skills to perform with her.

It is significant to note her home is walking distance to the newly christened Atlas Performing Arts Centre on H street. Additionally, the African Continuum Theatre is resident of the Atlas.

Women’s History Month exhibit honors Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis

Below are a few photos of the exhibit reviewing the life of Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC.

A visitor to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library reads the biography of Henrietta Vinton Davis with the exhibit.

Photograph of the women’s history month exhibit honoring Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC

Banner in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library announcing the exhibit on the life of Lady henrietta Vinton Davis

Biographical article on display with the Women’s History Month exhibit honoring Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis in Washington, DC at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library

Henrietta Vinton Davis Day Proclaimed in Baltimore

Mayor Sheila Dixon has proclaimed August 25, 2009 as “Henrietta Vinton Davis Day” in Baltimore.

Recorded Cases of Black Female Lynching Victims 1886-1957: More on Black Women Who Were Lynched

The lynching of Laura Nelson

After seeing the connection between Henrietta Vinton Davis and Black Women who was lynched (they have no markers on their graves) posted Dr. Daniel Meaders’ pamphlet on Black Women Who Were Lynched in America.  Reading that caused me to wonder if more women were lynched than Dr. Meaders found.

That led to the revelation of  “STRANGER FRUIT”: THE LYNCHING OF BLACK WOMEN THE CASES OF ROSA RICHARDSON AND MARIE SCOTT”by MARIA DELONGORIA. The information below is extracted from Appendix A: Recorded Cases of Black Female Lynching Victims 1886-1957. This list indicates approximately one hundred and fifty four women who were lynched.

m= mother d=daughter s=son f=father c=cousin w=wife h=husband #=age of victim b=brother s1=sister

* some sexually related aspect (evidence of rape, sexual assault and/or ‘relationship’)

** approximate date

Date	Name	Lynched with	County/City State	Allegation
1870
Sept	Mrs. John Simes		Henry Co KY	Republican
1872
Nov	Mrs. Hawkins (m)		Fayette Co KY	Republican
	—– Hawkins (d)		Fayette Co KY	Republican
1876
May	Mrs. Ben French		Warsaw KY	murder
1878
4 Nov	Maria Smith		Hernando MS	murder
1880
29 July	Milly Thompson		Clayton GA
6 Dec	Julia Brandt (15)	Joe BarnesVance Brandt	Charleston SC	theft/murder
1881
*4 Sept	Ann (Eliza) Cowan (35)		Newberry SC	arson
1885
29 Sept	Harriet Finch	Jerry FinchJohn PattishalLee Tyson	Chatham Co NC	murder
1886
Sept	—–		Cummins Pulaski KY
25 July	Mary Hollenbeck		Tattnall GA	murder
18 Aug	Eliza Wood		Madison TN	murder
1887
28 April	Gracy Blanton		W. Carroll LA	theft
1891
15 April	Roxie Elliott		Centerville AL
9 May	Mrs. Lee		Lowndes MS	son accused of murder
1 Aug	Eliza Lowe		Henry AL	arson
	Ella Williams		Henry AL	arson
28 Sept	Louise Stevenson	Grant White	Hollandale MS	murder
1892
3 Feb	Mrs. Martin		Sumner Co TN	son accused of arson
10 Feb	Mrs. Brisco(w)		AK	race prejudice
10 Feb	Jessie Dillingham		Smokeyville TX	train wrecking
11 March	Ella (15)		Rayville LA	attempted murder/poisoning
2 Nov	Mrs. Hastings(m)	son (16)	Jonesville LA	husband accused
	Hastings(d,14)		Jonesville LA	father accused of murder
21 Dec	Cora		Guthrie,Indian Territory
1893
19 March	Jessie Jones		Jellico TN	murder
18 July	Meredith Lewis		Roseland LA	murder
15 Sept	Emma Fair	Paul HillPaul ArcherWilliam Archer	Carrolton AL	arson
16 Sept	Louisa Carter (Lou)(m)		Jackson MS	poisoning a well
	Mahala Jackson (d)		Jackson MS	poisoning a well
1893
Nov	Mrs. Phil Evens (m)		Bardstown KY
	Evans (d)		Bardstown KY
	Evans (d)		Bardstown KY
4 Nov	Mary (Eliza) Motlow		Lynchburg VA	arson
9 Nov	Rilla Weaver		Clarendon AK
1894
6 March	unknown Negro woman		Pulaski AK
16 July	Marion Howard		Scottsville KY
24 July	Negro woman		Simpson Co MS	race prejudice
1895
20 March	Harriet Tally		Petersburg TN	arson
21 April	Mary Deane		Greenville AL	murder
	Alice Green		Greenville AL	murder
	Martha Green		Greenville AL	murder
1 July	Mollie Smith		Trigg County KY
20 July	Mrs. Abe Phillips (m)	unnamed child (1)Hannah Phillips (d)	Mant TX
23 July	Negro woman		Brenham TX
2 Aug	Mrs. James Mason (w)	James Mason (h)	Dangerfield TX
*28 Aug	Negro woman		Simpson MS	miscegenation
26 Sept	Felicia Francis		New Orleans LA
11 Oct	Catherine Matthews		Baton Rouge LA	poisoning
2 Dec	Hannah Kearse	(Walker,m)Isom K. (s)	Colleton SC	stealing a bible
1896
*12 Jan	Charlotte Morris		Jefferson LA	miscegenation/living with white “husband”
1 Aug	Isadora Morely		Selma AL	murder
18 Nov	Mimm Collier		Steenston MS
1897
9 Feb	Negro woman		Carrolton MS	theft/arson
5 March	Otea Smith		Julietta FL	murder
12 May	Amanda Franks		Jefferson AL	murder
	Molly White		Jefferson AL	murder
1898
22 Feb	Dora Baker	(d,2)Frazier Baker(f)	Williamsburg SC	race prejudice
9 Nov	Rose Etheridge		Phoenix SC	murder
13 Nov	Eliza Goode		Greenwood SC	murder
189923 March	Willia Boyd		Silver City MS
1900
2 March	Mrs. Jim Cross (m)		Lowndes AL
	Cross (d)		Lowndes AL
7 July	Lizzie Pool		Hickory Plains AK	race prejudice
25 July	Anna Mabry		New Orleans LA	race prejudice
28 Aug	Negro woman	Negro man	Forrest City NC	theft of peaches
1901
5 March	Ballie Crutchfield		Rome TN	theft
20 March	Terry Bell		Terry MS
1 Aug	Betsey McCray (m)	Belfiield (s)	Carrolton MS	knowledge of murder
	Ida McCray (d)		Carrolton MS	knowledge of murder
4 Oct	Negro woman		Marshall TX	assault
1902
15 Feb	Bell Duly		Fulton KY
27 Dec	Mrs.Emma Wideman	Oliver Wideman	Troy SC	murder
1903
	Negro woman			murder of Mrs. Frank Matthews
8 June	Negro woman	Negro men (4)	Smith County MS	murder
24 June	Lamb Whittle		Concordia LA
*25 July	Jennie Steers		Beard Plantation, Shreveport LA	murder by poison
28 Oct	Jennie McCall		Hamilton FL	by mistake
1904
7 Feb	Holbert (w)	Luther Holbert	Doddsville MS	burning barn
*14 June	Marie Thompson		Lebanon Junction KY	murder
30 August	unknown		Bates Union AK
1906
7 Nov	Meta Hicks		Mitchell GA	husband accused of murder
1907
20 March	Negro woman		Stamps AK
	Negro woman		Stamps AK
21 May	Mrs. Padgett (m)	Son	Tattnall GA	son accused of rape
	Padgett (d)		Tattnall GA	brother accused of rape
1908
3 Oct	Mrs. D. Walker (m)		Fulton KY	race hatred
	Walker (d)		Fulton KY	race hatred
1909
9 Feb	Robby Baskin		Houston MS	murder
30 July	Emile Antione		Grand Prairie LA	assault
1910
April 5	Laura Mitchell		Lonoke AK	murder
*25 Aug	Laura Porter		Monroe LA	disreputable house
1911
*25 May	Laura Nelson	L.D. (14)(s)	Okemah OK	murder
2 Sept	Hattie Bowman	Ed Christian	Greenville FL	theft
1912
**	Pettigrew (d)	Ben Pettigrew (f)	Savannah TN
**	Pettigrew (d)		Savannah TN
	Negro woman		Codele GA
*23 Jan	Belle Hathaway	John MooreEugene HammingDusty Cruthfield	Hamilton GA	tenants of murdered man
11 Feb	Negro woman	Negro children (3)	Beaumont TX
13 Feb	Mary Jackson	George Saunders	Marshall TX
25 June	Ann Boston		Pinehurst GA	murder
1914
13 Mar**	Mrs. Joe Perry (m,w)	Joe Perry (h)SonChild	Henderson NC
*31 Mar	Marie Scott (17)		Muskogee OK	murder
28 May/June**	Jennie Collins		Shaw MS	aiding in escape
17 June	Paralee Collins (m)	Issac (s)	West Plains MO
*12 July	Rosa Richardson (27-35)		Providence/Santee SC	murder
25 Nov	Jane Sullivan (w)	Fred Sullivan (h)	Byhalia MS	burning a barn
1915
15 Jan	Eula Charles	(Barber,d)Dan Barber (f)	Jasper County GA	parents accused of bootlegging
	Ella Charles	(Barber,d)Jesse Barber(b)	Jasper County GA	parents accused of bootlegging
May	Briley		Pescott AK
17 Aug	Hope Hull		AL
*8 Dec	Cordella Stevenson		Columbus MS
1916
19 Aug	Mary Dennis		Newberry FL	aiding in escape
	Stella Long		Newberry FL	aiding in escape
4 Oct**	Mary Conley		Arlington GA	complicity in murder
1917
1 March	Emma Hooper		Hammond LA	murder
1918
17 May	Mary Turner (pregnant)		Brooks Co GA	taught a lesson
4 June	Sarah Cabiness	unnamed children(2)Bessie Cabiness(d)Pete (s)Tenola Cabiness(d)Cute Cabiness (d)	Huntsville TX	threatening white man
4 Sept	Mrs. James Eyer		Marion GA
*21 Dec	Alma House (pregnant)	Andrew Clark	Shubuta MS	murder
1919
5 May	unknown Negro woman		Holmes MS	race prejudice
1920
2 Nov	unknown Negro woman		Ocoee FL	race prejudice
18 Nov	Minnie Ivory	Willie IvoryWill Perry	Douglass GA	murder
1921
9 April	Rachel Moore		Rankin MS	race prejudice
1922
25 June	Mercy Hall		Oklahoma City OK	strike activity
1923
5 Jan	Sarah Carrier		Rosewood FL	race prejudice
	Lesty Gordon		Rosewood FL	race prejudice
29 Sept	Negro woman		Pickens MS
31 Sept	Negro woman		Holmes MS	race prejudice
1924
23 June	Penny Westmoreland	Marcus Westmoreland	Spalding GA
19 July	—– Sheldon		Meridian MS
11 Sept	Sarah Williams		Shreveport LA
1925
*25 April	Annie Lowman (m)		Aiken SC	defending her daughter
1926
25 April	Lily Cobb		Birmingham AL
25 May	Eliza Bryant		Duplin NC	success
8 Oct	Bertha Lowman(d,s1)	Demon (b)	Aiken SC	lynched after acquitted of murder
11 Nov	Sally Brown	Clarence (c)	Houston TX
1928
25 Dec	Negro woman (1)		Eros LA	dispute w/ whites
	Negro woman (2)		Eros LA	dispute w/whites
1930
12 Feb	Laura Wood		Salisbury NC
5 July	Viola Dial (pregnant)		Narketta MS	race prejudice
6 July	Mrs. James Eyers (w)		Markeeta MS	race prejudice
10 Sept	Holly White	Pigg Lockett	Scooba MS
1931
May	Mrs. Wise		Frankfort VA	resisting Klan
1946
*25 July	Dorothy Malcolm(w)	Roger Malcolm (h)	Monroe GA	able to identify mob members
	Mae Dorsey (w)	George Dorsey (h)	Monroe GA	able to identify mob members
1956
*25 March	Angenora Spencer		Hyde NC	miscegenation
1957
18 Nov	Mrs. Frank Clay		Henderson NC	dispute

*Crystal Nicole Femister has a similar chart in the Appendix of her dissertation “Ladies and Lynching”: The Gendered Discourse of Mob Violence in the New South, 1880-1930. Having used overlapping sources accounts for similarities although there are differences in categories, variations of names, locations and some of the other content.

Livication 2009

PRESS RELEASE

4/9/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Nnamdi Azikiwe

202-483-6097

email: info@ladydavis.org

website: http://www.ladydavis.org

blog: http://henriettavintondavis.blogspot.com

AUGUST 25, 2009 is HENRIETTA VINTON DAVIS DAY

-Events to recognize cultural icon-

Washington, DC –Today the Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation announced plans to host Livication Day 2009.  The Foundation has as its mission to raise awareness of the life and legacy of Shakespearean actor, elocutionist, dramatic reader and activist Henrietta Vinton Davis.

Miss Davis remained relatively unrecognized until July 1983 when an article entitled “Henrietta Vinton Davis and the Garvey Movement” by Professor William Seraille was published in the journal ‘Afro-Americans in New York Life and History’.  Nearly a year later, acknowledgment of her contributions increased with the publication of the book ‘Shakespeare in Sable’ written by Professor Errol Hill of Dartmouth University.  In 1994, actor Clayton LeBouef received a commission to write a play on her life entitled ‘Shero: The Livication of Henrietta Vinton Davis.’   Her home in Northeast Washington, DC has been listed on Cultural Tourism DC’s African American Heritage Trail since 1999.

In 2008, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty issued a proclamation designating August 25 ‘Henrietta Vinton Davis Day.’  The designation furthers the Foundation’s efforts to raise awareness of Miss Davis’ life and garner funds to place a marker at her grave.  The decree issued in 2008 acknowledges Davis as the first African American to work at the DC Recorder of Deeds office beginning in 1878, before Frederick Douglas was appointed Recorder.  The proclamation also recognizes Miss Davis’ significance as a cultural icon.  She made her career debut as a Shakespearean actor, elocutionist, dramatic reader and impressionist in Washington, DC on April 25, 1883 where she was introduced by Douglas, a family friend.

The proclamation also acknowledges the success of Miss Davis as a public speaker. During 1919, a year remembered for its “Red Summer,” she joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League headed by Marcus Garvey.

The Livication Service will be conducted at her grave site located in National Harmony Memorial Park 7101 Sheriff Road Largo, MD (phone:301-772-0900). on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. Other activities are also in the planning stages.

About Henrietta Vinton Davis

For thirty-five years after her debut performing “Shakespearean delineations”, original plays and dramatic readings with her own performing company, and local troupes throughout the United States, South America and the Caribbean, Henrietta Vinton Davis broke new ground as a successful theatrical artisan in the United States. Her dedication to her craft gained her recognition as the first African American “woman of the stage.”

As a leader of the African Redemption Movement beginning in 1919, Davis made use of her acting skills to promote the aims and objectives of the UNIA. Her ability to “transport her listeners” to another place with her oratorical skills played a key role in both attracting members to the organization and promoting the Black Star Line Shipping Company.  As such, she was elected to numerous positions including International Organizer, and Third Assistant President General of the UNIA.  Additionally, as Vice President and a Director of the Black Star Line. Davis was the de facto authority aboard the Black Star Line’s flagship vessel, the S.S. Yarmouth, on its maiden voyage.  The ship was laden with a cargo worth upwards of $5.000.000 destined for the Caribbean.  On the ship’s return Marcus Garvey proclaimed Miss Davis “the greatest woman of the [African] race today” in a meeting at the UNIA’s Liberty Hall.

About The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation

Initially organized to raise funds solely to place a marker at the grave of Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis in 2005, the mission of The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation has evolved to include educating the general public on her life by producing plays, publishing books, producing documentary videos and conducting symposiums educating the general public about her life and the times in which she lived.

A scene from the play Christophe by William Edgar Easton

Proclamation for Henrietta Vinton Davis Day

To Henrietta Vinton Davis.

As you stood in your womanly beauty,
In garments of glittering sheen,
Our hearts bowed down in gracious homage,
And we crowned you as our queen.

Although many have been before thee,
Thou beautiful dark-eyed queen,
None more worthy of allegiance
On the throne was ever seen.

For whether in joy or in sorrow
Thy magic art has been seen
We sat enslaved by thy sweet caprice,
Our fair, yes, charming queen.

We pledge thee our loyal allegiance,
We pledge thee our sympathy keen,
We pledge thee the love of a nation
And crown thee fore’er our queen!

(Katherine Davis Tillman, in New York Age.)

LIVICATION TRIBUTE TO LADY HENRIETTA VINTON DAVIS

MONDAY – AUGUST 25, 2008

TRIBUTE TO

LADY HENRIETTA VINTON DAVIS

A MEMORIAL ON THE OCCASION OF LADY DAVIS’ 148^TH EARTHDAY

10:00AM Livication Service at National Harmony Memorial Park 7101 Sheriff Road Largo, MD 20792

3:00PM -6:00PM Program at Martin Luther King Library room A-4

7:00PM Rally at UNIA Liberty Hall

Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis

Shakespearean Actor, Elocutionist, Dramatic Reader, UNIA International Organizer, Black Star Line Vice President

Henrietta Vinton Davis born August 25, 1860 Baltimore, Maryland, joined the ancestors on November 23, 1941 in Washington, DC.

An only child, her father, Mansfield Vinton Davis was a musician who passed away when she was very young. Her mother Mary Ann Davis married influential Baltimorean George Alexander Hackett. Hackett passed away when Davis was 9 years old. She and her mother then moved to Washington, DC.

Davis schooled in Washington until the age of 15. She became a schoolteacher in Maryland. Eventually, she went to work at the DC Recorder of Deeds in 1878 before Frederick Douglass.

Her desire for a theatrical career inspired her to study under Miss Marguerite E. Saxton. April 25, 1883 Miss Davis was introduced in her debut as an actor by Frederick Douglass. For over thirty-five years she was the premier African-American woman of the stage performing “Shakespearean Delineations”, original plays and dramatic readings throughout the USA, Caribbean and Central America.

In 1919 her career took a dramatic turn when Lady Davis joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League headed by Marcus Garvey. Initially chosen as International Organizer, she eventually held positions as Assistant President-General and Vice-President of the Black Star Line. On Black Star Line flagship SS Frederick Douglass’ maiden voyage, she was the ranking member of the UNIA and the Black Star Line as it carried its cargo worth upwards of $5,000,000 to Cuba.

After leaving Jamaica where she continued supporting Garvey, she returned to the USA. There she joined the UNIA, Inc. headquartered in NY city. In 1934 she was elected President-General of that group.

At the age of eighty-one she joined the ancestors. Having been divorced, without children of her own and livicating her life to bettering the condition of her people, she was buried in Harmony Cemetery in Washington, D.C. without a marker for her grave.

HTTP://WWW.LADYDAVIS.ORG

The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation

Giving Campaign Donation Form

Yes! I want to donate to the Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation! Please complete this form, print it out, and enclose it with your payment,

payable to: The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation

Mail to: The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation

C/O The Mhotep Corporation

P.O. Box 43583

Washington, DC 20010

Name (as you wish listed): _________________________________________________________________________

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E-mail address: __________________________________________________________________________________

I would like to support the Foundation as a/an: q Benefactor ($25,000 and above) q Vanguard Circle donor ($10,000 to $24,999 or more) q Pacesetter ($5,000 to $9,999) q Patron ($2,500 to $4,999) q Elder’s Circle donor ($1,000 to $2,499) q Gold Founder ($500 to $999)

q Silver Founder ($250 to $499) q Bronze Founder ($150 to $249) q Founder ($100 to $149) q Associate ($50 to $99) q Contributor ($25 to $49) q Other $_____________

Amount enclosed: $_______________________________________________________

Is your donation being made in memory or in honor of someone special? If so, please complete the following:

q In Memory of: ________________________________________________________

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The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. All contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

Thank you for your support!

PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

08/09/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Nnamdi Azikiwe

202-483-6097

email: info@ladydavis.org

website: http://www.ladydavis.org

blog: http://henriettavintondavis.blogspot.com

D.C. MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY DECLARES AUGUST 25 HENRIETTA VINTON DAVIS DAY

-Proclamation recognizes cultural icon-

Washington, DC –The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation announced today that DC Mayor Adrian Fenty has proclaimed August 25, 2008 ‘Henrietta Vinton Davis Day.’ The designation comes on the day the Foundation plans to unveil a marker at Miss Davis’ grave in National Harmony Park located in Landover, Maryland. The Foundation plans to host a memorial service at the grave site that day at 10:00 A.M.

The decree acknowledges Davis as the first African American to work at the DC Recorder of Deeds office beginning in 1878 before Frederick Douglas. The proclamation also recognizes Miss Davis’ significance as a cultural icon. She made her debut in her career as an actor, elocutionist, dramatic reader and impressionist in Washington, DC on April 25, 1883 where she was introduced by the then Recorder of Deeds, Frederick Douglas.

Furthermore, the proclamation acknowledges the success of Miss Davis as a public speaker. During 1919, a year remembered for its “Red Summer,” she joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League headed by Marcus Garvey.

About Henrietta Vinton Davis

For thirty-five years after her debut performing “Shakespearean delineations”, original plays and dramatic readings with her own performing company, and local troupes throughout the United States, South America and the Caribbean, Henrietta Vinton Davis broke new ground as a successful theatrical artisan in the United States. Her dedication to her craft gained her recognition as the first African American “woman of the stage.”

As a leader of the African Redemption Movement beginning in 1919, Davis made use of her acting skills to promote the aims and objectives of the UNIA. Her ability to “transport her listeners” to another place with her oratorical skills played a key role in both attracting members to the organization and promoting the Black Star Line Shipping Company. As such, she was elected to numerous positions including International Organizer, and Third Assistant President General of the UNIA, as well as, Vice President of the Black Star Line. On the maiden voyage of the Black Star Line’s flagship vessel with a cargo worth upwards of $5.000.000 to the Caribbean, Davis was the ranking member of both the UNIA and the Black Star Line.

About The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation

Initially organized to raise funds merely to place a marker at the grave and to the legacy of Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis in 2005, the mission of The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation has evolved to include educating the general public on her life by producing plays, publishing books, producing documentary videos and conducting symposiums educating the general public about her life and the times in which she lived.

Proclamation for Henrietta Vinton Dav