Honoring Black History Month
Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin.
For Black History Month, we’re shining a light on a special screening that will take place next Thursday, February 20th, 6PM, at the Howland Public Library (313 Main Street).
In partnership with Beacon’s Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club, the Howland Public Library is presenting a special screening of Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin. This award-winning documentary sheds light on the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin, a visionary activist often referred to as the “invisible man” of the Civil Rights Movement.
A Q&A with Walter Naegle, Rustin’s life partner and director of the Rustin Fund for Global Equality, will follow directly after the screening. The discussion will be facilitated by Kenya Gadsden from Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club.
Bayard Rustin was a tireless advocate for justice, a disciple of Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, and a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He worked for the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a nondenominational religious organization, from 1941 to 1953. There he planned the “Journey of Reconciliation,” which would be used as a model for the Freedom Rides of the 1960s. He organized protests in England and organized the New York branch of the Congress for Racial Equality, in 1941.
As the chief organizer of the historic 1963 March on Washington—which rallied in support of civil rights legislation pending in Congress—he helped shape one of the most significant moments in American history.
Rustin’s contributions spanned racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and global human rights. Despite his significant contributions, Rustin was often forced to take a less public role due to the discrimination he faced as an openly gay man in an era of widespread prejudice. Brother Outsider sheds light on his remarkable work, his challenges, and his enduring impact.
In recognition of his impact, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2013.
The Howland Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon.
Space is limited for this special event. You can register for free via the Howland Public Library’s calendar.
About Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club
The Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club—which translates to “The Friendly Sisters in English—was established in 1948 by the late Mrs. Olga Galloway. The Beacon club currently has ten members and belongs to nine sister clubs throughout New York State.
The organization contributes to community organizations that are focused on supporting young people with purpose. They support the Hudson Valley Food Bank with financial donations and the Class in a Bag program through I Am Beacon. The group meets every fourth Saturday of each month at the Beacon Community Center.
Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club will honor local citizens working to build a better community at their Annual Luncheon at Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls on May 3, 2025. Tickets can be obtained by contacting Dorothy Medley at (845)-831 6447.
A reminder
Beacon’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade takes place this Monday, February 17th. Founded by Pete Seeger and the SDC Coalition, the theme of this year’s celebration is “Keeping the Dream Alive.” See our Events Guide for full details on this and other citywide events.
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Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡