February marks the beginning of Black History Month, and the play "Black Women Walking" ventures into the lives of 11 revolutionary women in African American history, celebrating their legacy and achievements.
"Black Women Walking" is an award-winning play that follows historical Black heroines, including figures like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Rosa Parks.
"Black Women Walking" includes visual performances and song and dance with the intention to teach and inspire, said Kevvin Taylor, the play's director and graduate of ASU's Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Audiences will witness the courage, hardships and brilliance of these Black women and their impact on American history and the civil rights movement.
Taylor said he worked hard to use his platform to shine the spotlight on Black women who changed history. Taylor said the African American history shown in textbooks has been misconstrued and lacks evidence. He wants to create a safe place where people can come and understand Black women's stories.
“The story is about the power and resilience of the human spirit, which is a characteristic of all people,” Taylor said.
The play also emphasizes the liberation and empowerment of women. Ruth Alexander plays Marian Anderson, a classical and spirituals singer who is one of the historical women featured in the pay.
Alexander said it is important for younger generations to see strong women who look like them and to see what some of the women went through because of their race.
“It talks about the women," she said. "It shows the strength that women have, the perseverance, the tolerance of the kind of treatment they received because of their skin color."
