Barbara Kay will portray Molly Brown at 2 p.m. on August 26 in the Schweinfurth Museum at the Jefferson County Historical Village.
Though Margaret “Molly” Brown’s lasting fame stems from her survival of the Titanic disaster, her lasting influence arises from her achievements as a social reformer and champion of the rights of women, children, and workers. Molly’s journey from poverty and obscurity to international prominence traversed the mining camps of Colorado, the theaters and ballrooms of Paris and New York, and the voting booth, which she helped to open to women. Barbara Kay’s vivacious living history portrayal of Brown traces that journey, explaining the significance of each step and showing why it remains both instructive and inspiring today.
Barbara Kay taught history at Highland High School in southwestern Illinois for 30 years and has also taught at schools in Missouri and Germany. She has received honors for her work as an educator, including the 2011 Schweizer American History Teacher Award from the Illinois Society Sons of the American Revolution. Over the past two decades, she has portrayed more than a dozen women from American history.
“Barbara Kay presents the women she portrays in such a way the audience learns a great deal about the person without feeling like they are being taught. It is like getting to know the great women of history and imaging life through their eyes. It is always a fresh experience,” said Dana Uhls, JCHS Community Relations Specialist.
There is no charge for the program, but donations are appreciated. The Jefferson County Historical Village is located at 1411 North 27th Street in Mt. Vernon. For more information contact the Historical Society office at 618-246-0033.
