The statue, cast by renowned sculptor Brian Hanlon, was placed on the property of the First Congregational Church in Sheffield, not far from the Sedgwick home. Much of what historians know about her was written by one of Theodore Sedgwick's daughters, the novelist Catharine Maria Sedgwick, O'Brien said. The Sedgwicks had such a deep respect for Mumbet that when she died in 1829 at about the age of 85 she was buried with them, the only non-family member in the family plot. She was a healer, a nurse and a midwife, who bought her own property in nearby Stockbridge, VanSant said. "For me as an African American woman, it's amazing to be walking in her footsteps," she said.Īfter the court case, Ashley asked Freeman to return to his household as a paid servant, but she refused and instead went to work for Sedgwick, where she helped raise his children and was known by the affectionate name, Mumbet. She called Freeman an icon and a trailblazer. Gwendolyn VanSant, the CEO of BRIDGE, an area nonprofit that fosters racial understanding and equity, is overseeing the scholarships. He brought together stakeholders and raised about $280,000, enough money for the roughly 8-foot statue, as well as a scholarship fund in Freeman's honor for area high school students. Anthony in Adams, the Berkshire County community where the suffragist was born.
Pignatelli was inspired to raise a statue of Freeman last year when he attended the unveiling of a statue of Susan B. He found that many of his colleagues in the Statehouse were also largely in the dark about the significance of her case, which set the legal precedent that essentially ended slavery in Massachusetts. William "Smitty" Pignatelli grew up not far from Sheffield in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts yet didn't hear her story until about 20 years ago. Her story, while remarkable, remains relatively obscure. The story of an enslaved woman who went to court to win her freedom more than 80 years before the Emancipation Proclamation had been pushed to the fringes of history.Ī group of civic leaders, activists and historians hope that ended Sunday in the quiet Massachusetts town of Sheffield with the unveiling of a bronze statue of the woman who chose the name Elizabeth Freeman when she shed the chains of slavery 241 years ago to the day. Freeman Foundation, who died in December 2006.įor information, visit and monument of civil rights pioneer Elizabeth Freeman is unveiled in front of Sheffield's Old Parish Church in Sheffield, Mass., Sunday, Aug. Freeman Foundation was founded in 2007 to honor Josh Freeman, the former chairman of the Carl M. Many of these children wouldn’t experience a live performance without the foundation’s efforts.” Freeman Foundation also supports a tremendous arts outreach program to underserved communities and children who live in Sussex County.
“They give artists from all over the state the opportunity to perform for Southern Delaware audiences.
“While having access to headliners such as Jay Leno and Blues Traveler is a huge draw to our area - and seeing them outside, under the stars, is memorable - the foundation remains rooted in our local communities,” said Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts. Freeman Foundation, which also brings arts education to southern Delaware. The Freeman Stage is part of the Joshua M. SoDel Cares, the philanthropic arm of SoDel Concepts, donated $10,000 to The Freeman Stage at Bayside, an open-air performing arts venue near Fenwick Island that is celebrating its 10th season.
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