The life and work of Logan County native Alice Allison Dunnigan will be the subject of the Warren County Public Library’s first observance of Black History Month as February begins Saturday.
This is what the library staff has written about the event:
“Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 1, and visit the Capitol at 6 p.m. to learn more about American journalist and civil rights activist Alice Dunnigan and her Kentucky roots.
“As the first Black woman journalist to be credentialed to the White House and Capitol press corps in 1947, Alice Allison Dunnigan's name was frequently in both headlines and bylines during her lifetime. But due to the racism and sexism that she faced, her accomplishments have not gotten their deserved place in history. Residents of her hometown, Russellville, Kentucky, and others have worked to resurrect and share her story through sculpture, writing, quilting, and community events like this one.
“Reserve a ticket here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/bz36amn
“Plan to join WCPL for additional celebrations of Black History in February, including a book giveaway beginning February 7, and An Evening with Quilt of Souls author Phyllis Biffle Elmore at the Kirby Branch February 6.”
Russellvillian Michael Morrow has been the primary historian in publicizing Mrs. Dunnigan’s career and pioneering spirit. Her statue can be found at the Seek Museum, which he heads, on the corner of Sixth and Morgan streets in Russellville.
The speaker Saturday will be Bailey Vandiver, a Bowling Green native who holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction at Bluegrass Writers Studio and a degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky.
She says, “If you're in Bowling Green and looking for Saturday night plans this weekend, please come to The Capitol BG to learn about Alice Dunnigan, an incredible Kentuckian and impactful historical figure.
“I'm really grateful to the Warren County Public Library for inviting me, an aspiring incredible Kentuckian, to share more about Alice.”
The Capitol, a long-time 20th Century movie theater that is a landmark on the Park Square in Bowling Green, has become an auditorium for public performances and managed by the Warren County Public Library.