“If only I could catch some of her spirit.” - Rosa Parks
Septima Clark's Story
In partnership with PURE Theatre, LWVCA commissioned a play about the life of civil rights and voting rights activist, teacher, and LWVCA member, Septima Clark. PURE Theatre produced the play, entitled SEPTIMA, which premiered in Charleston, SC on March 9, 2023, and ran through April 1, 2023. The play was written by Dr. Patricia Williams Dockery and was directed by PURE Theatre's own Artistic and Creative Director Sharon Graci.
SEPTIMA: It’s the day of Septima Clark’s 125 birthday. As the City of Charleston prepares to celebrate, Septima, with the help of some old friends, reflects not only on her work as a Civil Rights leader and educator, but the moments of her life that shaped her into one of the most important figures in American history, and inspired Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to name her the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.”
Thank you for your support of the show. Check back right here as we, the LWVCA, work to develop opportunities to bring the play to school districts throughout South Carolina in 2023 and beyond!
News & Announcements
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After two years of planning, plotting, researching, networking and fundraising, the League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area is thrilled to see the Septima Clark play arrive at PURE Theatre's stage! READ: New Play Pays Tribute to Activist Clark (Charleston City Paper) Septima Clark world premiere announced as part of Pure Theatre Season 20 Pure Theatre has officially announced the 2023 premiere of Septima Clark as part of its 20th anniversary season. From Pure Theatre: "The five plays in our 20th Anniversary Season tell stories about lives made larger because of imagination, ingenuity, faith, getting back up after a stumble, and never ever giving up." All-access tickets for Season 20 are available now. |
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Fundraising Goal Met! - Spring 2022 LWVCA is excited to announce that we've reached our fundraising goal for this project! Thank you to the friends and community members who donated to help bring this project to life. |
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Kickoff Reception - April 2022 On April 7th, we hosted a community reception to celebrate the launch of the Septima Clark play project. Friends and family members of Septima Clark were in attendance, as well as playwright Dr. Patricia Williams Dockery, PURE Theatre artistic director Sharon Graci, and donors who are committed to seeing Ms. Clark's story be brought to the stage.
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Playwright Dr. Patricia Williams Dockery: Fall 2021 We are excited to announce that Dr. Patricia Williams Dockery has agreed to craft the script for the proposed play about Septima Clark. Currently the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Morgan State University, Dr. Williams Dockery is an internationally recognized higher education and non-profit leader, a public scholar and international commentator consulted for her expertise on IDEA, social justice, and racial inequity. Patricia is also a producer and consultant on an upcoming documentary based on the life of Vertamae Grosvenor, with filmmaker Julie Dash. Previously Executive Director at the Avery Institute of African American History and Culture, Dr. Williams Dockery founded the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) in response to the Mother Emanuel Massacre here in Charleston. Professor, author, playwright, sought after speaker, Patricia dreams out loud. She has two beautifully creative children, Osayende and Aniyah, and is married to the Love of her life, Rudolph Dockery, Jr. |
