Heritage Center to Pay Tribute to Civil Rights on MLK Day

The will honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. January 16 with a performance about Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who became the most famous “conductor’ for the Underground Railroad.

 “It’s important that as we look at our own civil rights, that we go even further back and look at the roots of how those began,” said Dave Oberg, Executive Director of the Heritage Center and Museum.

“Over the next few years we are observing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and this seemed an appropriate time to tell Harriet Tubman’s story,” Oberg said.

Tubman risked her own life as she led 13 expeditions to help slaves escape from bondage. During the civil war she served as a scout, spy and nurse.

She was the first woman to lead an armed expedition during the war, ultimately freeing more than 700 slaves.

Following the war Tubman became an advocate for women’s suffrage.

Welcome has performed in many diverse theatrical productions with roles in "A Raisin In The Sun" to "Agatha Christie Made Me Do It" to "The Killing of Sister George" among others.

Welcome currently performs "Black Women In History" – featuring Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and a WWII Riveter/Welder.

Oberg is excited to bring her performance to Grayslake. “She is absolutely riveting,” he said.

The program will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 16 and is open to all ages. A good will donation is appreciated.

The is located at 164 Hawley Street, next to the Grayslake Fire Department in the heart of downtown Grayslake.