The Aurora Reading Club has been in existence for 125 years. It was founded in November 1894 by Rachel Jones to engage in mutual improvement for African American women. The charter members were Rachel Jones, Frances Golden, Hannah Grinage Lovett, Virginia Woodson Proctor, Anna Posey and Cora V. Hill Washington. The purpose of the club was to improve its members in a variety of fields and its motto was “lifting as we climb.” The club met in houses and discussed authors, books, music, current events, poetry and nature.
On Oct. 19, at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Aurora Reading Club celebrated 125 years with a delightful luncheon featuring Elayne Arrington, Ph.D., as keynote speaker. Dr. Arrington has been dubbed as Pittsburgh’s own “Hidden Figure” as the city “discovered” her journey to becoming an aerospace engineer and professor with a Ph.D. in Mathematics.
In 2002, the Heinz History Center became the official home of the Aurora Reading Club archives. Meeting minutes, program booklets, photographs, newspaper clippings and projects that have been created in celebration of milestone anniversaries are kept in the centers archives, which are available to the public.
by Debbie Norrell, Lifestyles Editor
MEMBERS OF THE AURORA READING CLUB (Feature photo)
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