The YWCA of Cortland held a luncheon in celebration of Martin Luther King JR. Day. At the event, retired Homer Central Junior high history teacher Martin A. Sweeney portrayed the story of William Osborn Stoddard.
According to Sweeney, Stoddard was born in the village of Homer in 1835 and went on to be President Lincoln’s assistant personal secretary at the White House during the Civil War.
Here is a video of Sweeney’s portrayal of Stoddard earlier today:
At the event, people were also able to view the display of posters created by members of the teen mentoring group GEMS (Girls: Empowered, Motivated, Successful). The group chose iconic pictures from black history, and reflected what they mean to them.
Posters will be displayed until February 28th in honor of Black History Month.
Here are some photos of the event:
