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The Movie, "Lincoln", and Elizabeth Keckley

If you've seen the Steven Spielberg movie, Lincoln, you might have noticed veteran actor Gloria Reuben in the role of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, who was a constant companion of the First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln. If you know your history, you know that Ms. Keckley  was an accomplished dressmaker, entrepreneur, activist, and author. I first became aware of her story in 2001 while working with the African American Cutural Complex, The NC Museum of History, and the Thomas Day Education Project , all in  North Carolina.

Elizabeth Keckley was born into slavery in Dinwiddie County, Virginia in 1818. As with most slaves she was treated with the brutality and sexual abuse that

A Freed Black Man Writes a Letter to His Old master

Enslaved Africans made numerous attempts to escape bondage. In many instances the newly freed recorded their experiences as both enslaved, and free. The record of their ordeal is documented in books, oral history, slave narratives, and family recollections.

The new, free life offered an income, better health and living conditions, and primarily, safety for the families. Safety for their wives and children, but, particularly their female offspring. These feelings are expressed by former slave,