Pitt's Ogle Duff Will Host the 20th Annual National African American Read-In Chain Feb. 1

PITTSBURGH-Ogle Duff, emeritus professor in the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, will host the 20th annual African American Read-In Chain from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in the First Baptist Church library, 159 N. Bellefield Ave., Oakland. This event is free and open to the public.

Featured readers are Cecile Springer (GSPIA '71), retired Westinghouse Electric Corporation executive and former president of Pitt's Alumni Association, and Eric Springer, retired Pittsburgh attorney and founding partner of Horty, Springer, and Mattern.

Cecile Springer will read from a biography about her mother-in-law titled "Maida Springer: Pan-Africanist and International Labor Leader" (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2000), by Yevette Richards. Maida Springer helped organize women workers in New York's garment district. She was the first African American woman to represent labor abroad, contributing to the AFL-CIO's African policy during the Cold War and African independence movements. Eric Springer will read from Pauli Murray's autobiography, "Song in a Weary Throat: An American Pilgrimage" (HarperCollins, 1987). A friend of Maida Springer's, Murray was a poet, essayist, lawyer, professor, civil rights advocate, and founding member of the National Organization for Women. Eric Springer will discuss Murray and her impact on his life.

Jack Hedenberg, First Baptist Church archivist, will read a letter from Frederick Douglas. Van Beck Hall, Pitt history professor, along with members of the church will participate in reading African American literature. Richard Teaster, First Baptist Church choir director and director of Pitt Men's Glee Club, will play the piano.

The national African American Read-In Chain takes place every February in recognition of Black History Month. People across the nation are encouraged to take an hour or two to read African American literature or participate in a community effort by holding group readings. Hosting a Read-In can be as simple as bringing together a group of family and friends to share a book. In addition, professional organizations, businesses, churches, libraries, and bookstores are urged to host Read-Ins in order to cultivate a greater appreciation for African American literature. Teachers and schools will participate Monday, Feb. 2.

Duff has organized the First Baptist Church's Read-In since its inception 20 years ago and tracks the number of local participants. The Read-In is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English.

###

1/29/09/tmw