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The Black Voices Book Club discusses books written by Black authors.
Join us for a discussion of writings by and about civil rights hero Pauli Murray. This month, we are taking a thematic approach: instead of reading one book together, we will each read a book by or about Pauli Murray. Stop by the library to choose a book of poetry, a biography, or one of Pauli Murray's memoirs. Then bring your thoughts, insights, and comments to our meeting on February 24 for rousing camaraderie as we delve into the life and works of this fascinating American icon.
Pauli Murray (1910–1985) was a trailblazing civil rights activist, legal scholar, writer, and Episcopal priest whose life story and groundbreaking ideas continue to inspire. After graduating from Hunter College, she applied to a PhD program at UNC-Chapel Hill but was denied admission because of her race. Undeterred, she became the only woman in her law school class at Howard University, where she graduated first in 1944. A fierce advocate for equality, Murray coined the term “Jane Crow” to highlight the dual oppression of racism and sexism that shaped her life and work. She joined the Congress of Racial Equality, challenged segregation in the U.S. military, and pioneered sit-ins years before they became a hallmark of the Civil Rights Movement. Her preference for short hair, pants, and the gender-neutral name Pauli reflected her lifelong struggle with gender identity, which influenced her perspective as a legal and civil rights pioneer. In 1977, Murray broke barriers once again, becoming the first Black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest, dedicating her ministry to reconciliation and caring for the sick in Washington, D.C. Pauli Murray’s visionary legacy, encompassing activism, scholarship, and faith, endures as a beacon of courage and determination.