Discussion of Alice's Ordinary People with Director Craig Dudnick

Program Type:

Films, History & Genealogy, Lectures

Age Group:

Teens, Adults, Seniors
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Event Details

Celebrate Black History Month with the Scarsdale Library.

Alice's Ordinary People is a documentary DVD about Alice Tregay – a woman who refused to stand still for injustice and brought others together to change what was. Her remarkable story spans the historic period from the marches of Dr. King to the election of Barack Obama.  And her unique contribution in the field of politics is the thread which connects the two.   

Alice Tregay's story of ordinary people effecting extraordinary change for human rights. Alice's life story reads like a history of the movement. Early on she fought the "Willis Wagons." The second class structures were built to relieve overcrowding in those Chicago schools which served the African American community. Their very existence perpetuated segregation.

In 1966, Dr. King came to Chicago. Alice and her husband James Tregay, marched with him, often at great personal risk. It was at this time that Dr. King joined the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and the Reverend James Bevel to form Operation Breadbasket. Breadbasket fought racism on many fronts, but its main task was jobs for African Americans, particularly from those businesses drawing profits from the African American community.

Under the leadership of Reverend Jackson, the months that Alice and her "ordinary people" spent picketing led to real change. But it was through her Political Education class, that Alice's had her most significant impact. Over a four year period, thousands were trained to work in independent political campaigns. This new force was integral to the re-election of Ralph Metcalf to Congress (this time as an independent democrat), to the election of Harold Washington, mayor, and to making Barack Obama, our first African American President.

Alice's Ordinary People is available on Kanopy.  Patrons are encouraged to watch the film before the Zoom program, but the presentation can be enjoyed whether or not the participants have seen the film.

Our one hour program begins with a thirty minute overview of Civil Rights Movement and Alice's role in bringing politics to the Movement.  This is followed by a half hour discussion.  

This program is a collaboration of the Scarsdale, Mount Pleasant, Mamaroneck, and Lewisboro Libraries.