Wednesday, Feb. 14
5:30 p.m. Alumni reception
7 p.m. Presentation
Student Union Ball Room
Love Stories from the Underground Railroad is in its 11th year, educating, entertaining and engaging the community with tales of heroism fueled by love that conquers all through real life experiences of enslaved persons escaping to freedom. This year, Love Stories will feature the story of Ellen and William Craft as told by New York Times best-selling author Ilyon Woo in her recent book Master, Slave, Husband, Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom (Simon & Schuster, 2023). Woo recounts the inspiring story of the Crafts, the most famous couple to flee enslavement in the South. They did it by hiding in plain sight. Ellen, who was light skinned, posed as a slave owner traveling northward with her personal servant, William. They made it to freedom by boat and railroad car.
Their tale is an inspiring love story. The couple wanted to legalize their marriage, which was denied them in slavery, and raise a family in freedom. Come relive this story of the quest for love and freedom on Valentine’s Day.
A book signing will follow Woo’s talk.
Register in advance for the alumni reception.
Sponsored by
- Alumni Relations
- College of Liberal Arts & Education
- Student Life
- African American Studies
- Black Abolitionist Archive
- Women & Gender Studies