Category Archives: Uncategorized

LOVE WINS: Jim Obergefell and John Arthur

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June 26, 2025

LOVE WINS: Jim Obergefell and John Arthur 

As the Social Justice Curator, I spend my days walking through history so that I can make better sense of the present and do my part to help build a future where we all can collectively flourish.  Through this work, I explore hidden histories and understated narratives of individuals and communities that inspire hope and possibility. 

Jim Obergefell (left), Social Justice Curator, Trudy Gaba (center), Clarity Amrein and Zach Gerberick, Cincinnati Public Library (right)

Jim Obergefell happens to be one of those individuals. Some may not know him by name, but many know the impact his landmark Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges, had on LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. June 26th, 2025 will mark the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that made marriage legal for same-sex couples nationwide.  I had the extraordinary opportunity to take part in an oral history interview with Jim Obergefell and Al Gerhardstein, local Cincinnati civil rights attorney and lead counsel in Obergefell v. Hodges, earlier this year. In partnership with the Cincinnati Public Library’s Catherine C. and Thomas E. Huenefeld Story Center, we were privileged to hear more about his personal biography as a native Ohioan, growing up in Sandusky, OH, and what life was like with his late husband John.  

Jim and John’s first meeting took place at Uncle Woody’s, a bar near the University of Cincinnati’s campus. Jim recalls seeing John sitting at the bar drinking a Gin and Tonic. It wasn’t until their third encounter on New Year’s Eve in 1992 that they became a couple. Jim teased, “For us, it wasn’t love at first sight. It was love at third sight….I went to John’s NYE party in Hyde Park and never left.”

Nearly seven weeks later, John proposed with a diamond ring, and from that point on, Jim and John were a family for nearly 21 years, building a happy life together here in Cincinnati.  

In 2011, the unexpected happened—John was diagnosed with ALS and the future they envisioned of growing old together became uncertain. While there was no certainty for what tomorrow held, one truth remained clear to both of them, they wanted to be able to call each other husband and husband. On June 26th, 2013, John and Jim heard the news of the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor, which ruled that section three of the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) was unconstitutional. The federal government could not discriminate against married lesbians and gay couples to determine federal benefits and protections.  

A Sign in Over-the-Rhine honoring John Arthur and Jim Obergefell, Image Source: The Enquirer/ Mariel Padilla

This meant that Jim and John could finally wed and at least have the federal government recognize their union.  With the help of friends and family, Jim, and a very ill John, flew by medical jet to briefly land on the tarmac of the Baltimore Washington International Airport to exchange their vows.  Ohio had its own state-level “Defense of Marriage Act” which meant Jim and John were unable to apply for a marriage license in Ohio and needed to wed in a state that would allow them to legally marry.

Al Gerhardstein, a local civil rights attorney in Cincinnati, heard about their story and knew what reality was awaiting the newly married couple. He showed them a blank death certificate where Jim’s name would not appear as the surviving spouse of John as the state did not recognize their marriage. That did not sit right with them and so their fight began. 

Nearly a week after they got married, they filed a lawsuit in federal district court suing the governor of Ohio, John Kasich, and the attorney general, Mike DeWine. They won. The federal judge ruled in their favor, and when John passed away three months later, Jim’s name was in the proper place on his death certificate.  

The fight did not end there.  

After Ohio appealed the ruling, Jim kept fighting all the way to the Supreme Court. Jim became the named plaintiff in the marriage equality case, Jim Obergefell v. Hodges, which ruled that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. This victory changed the future of LGBTQ+ Rights across the nation.  After the verdict was announced, Jim left the courtroom to a sea of reporters and said, “Our love is equal.”  

Jim said he never considered himself an activist—someone on the front lines of a protest, but there’s no one definition for advocacy and activism. Jim is proof of that. Love is foundational to every movement for social justice, and it was the driving force for Jim. He fought for his love and won.  

While we celebrate and reflect upon the 10th anniversary of a ruling that changed the lives of millions of Americans, we must also look to the future as the fight for LGBTQ+ rights continues.

In the face of hate, love can win. Jim and John’s story is that truth embodied.  

 

If you are interested in learning more about Jim Obergefell, watch the full oral history recording.

In part two of Love Wins, we’ll share more from the perspective of Al Gerhardstein, lead council and local civil rights attorney. 

Trudy Gaba, Social Justice Curator at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Opal Lee: A Social Justice Hero

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Freedom Center Voices

June 14, 2024

Opal Lee: A Social Justice Hero

“If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love. But we need to know, you can’t erase history. So, let’s learn from it and be damned sure it doesn’t happen again.”

– Opal Lee

Opal Lee

Opal Lee was born on October 7th, 1926, in Marshall, Texas. She was only three generations removed from her enslaved ancestors – her great grandmother on her father’s side was born into slavery.

This was a time of strict segregation and extreme racial violence from white supremacists and terrorist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan. During the 1920s at least 281 Blacks were lynched throughout the country. White supremacists burnt down Black schools, churches, businesses and houses, intimidated Black voters, enforced Jim Crow laws and much more.

When Lee was 10, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas. Two years later, in June of 1939, at the age of 12, the family moved to Sycamore Park, a predominantly white neighborhood in Fort Worth. On June 19th (Juneteenth), a day that was supposed to be filled with joy and celebration, Opal Lee and her family experienced a traumatic and unfortunately common event. A mob of approximately 500 white supremacists destroyed their home, all because they didn’t want a black family living in the neighborhood. Lee and her family were able to escape physically unharmed, but the emotional trauma would affect them for years to come. No one was arrested and justice was denied – a recurring theme for many Black Americans throughout this country’s history. While being interviewed for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Lee said, "The fact that it happened on the 19th day of June has spurred me to make people understand that Juneteenth is not just a festival." This event made her realize that racism was a barrier to true freedom for Black Americans, so she dedicated her life to teaching and activism.

After graduating from Wiley College in 1952 with a degree in elementary education, she dedicated her life to teaching, counseling and inspiring students. But more than education, she was dedicated to activism. She was involved in multiple community organizations like Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society, and even started her own nonprofit organization in 1994 called Unity Unlimited Inc. Their mission was “Providing educational activities and resources to people, young and old, to foster unity and harmony within the community, the city, the state, the nation and the world regardless of race, culture or denomination and regardless of the form in which the events may be presented, including but not limited to workshops, expositions, concerts, rallies and lectures.” Lee is also a board member of Transform 1012 N. Main Street, which is converting a former Ku Klux Klan auditorium into The Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Community Healing, named after Rouse who was lynched by a white mob in 1921 in Fort Worth. Lee also spent decades organizing Juneteenth celebrations in Fort Worth.

“We have simply got to make people aware that none of us are free until we’re all free, and we aren’t free yet.”

– Opal Lee

In 2016, Lee championed the cause to make Juneteenth a national holiday by walking two-and-a-half miles a day in multiple cities from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. The two-and-a-half miles represented the years between the Emancipation Proclamation and General Orders No. 3. Lee said she thought about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with every step. She also started an online petition which garnered 1.6 million signatures. Her efforts gained her the nickname “grandmother of Juneteenth,” and on June 18, 2021, she sat in the White House and watched President Joe Biden sign Senate Bill 475 that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. That simple swipe of the pen would never have been possible without the dedication, determination and passion from people like Opal Lee. Because of her courageous efforts, she was voted “Texan of the Year” in 2021, nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024 (Our nation’s highest civilian honor).

Opal Lee visits the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in 2021. Photo courtesy of Alica Reece.

Today, at least 41 states either recognize or observe Juneteenth as a state holiday. This holiday is an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Opal Lee and all the other freedom heroes that came before her by recommitting to bring an end systemic racism and all other forms of discrimination.

Juneteenth

To understand Opal Lee’s experience and commitment to activism, you have to understand Juneteenth and her personal connection to it.

Major General Gordon Granger and 1,800 Union troops landed in Galveston, Texas on June 18, 1865. The next day, June 19, he issued General Orders No. 3, freeing over 250,000 enslaved people in Texas – 71 days after the Civil War ended and two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For enslaved people in Galveston and others throughout Texas, June 19th, 1865, offered a definitive date for their freedom. A day they made their own. From 1865 forward, people like Opal Lee led the way in organizing Juneteenth celebrations in Sycamore Park and other parts of Texas.

Juneteenth became more than just a celebration of freedom. It became a celebration of Black history and culture, Black resistance and resilience and Black unity, love and joy. It became a way for families to reunite; a way for African Americans to organize politically, economically and spiritually; a way to educate and inspire future generations; and a way to show their pride, strength and resolve. And thanks to Opal Lee, Juneteenth is now a national holiday, celebrated in cities across the country. However, for Lee, Juneteenth became more than just a “festival” early on in her life.

Call to Action

Opal Lee’s call to action was fighting against racism and making Juneteenth a federal holiday. She accomplished her goals through courage, cooperation and perseverance. Her story and actions are an inspiration to us all.

What’s your call to action?

James Harrington

Manager of Interpretive Services
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Black Resistance: What it means to me

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Freedom Center Voices

August 1, 2023

Black Resistance: What it means to me

What does Black resistance mean to me? Black resistance means activism, freedom, love, family and hope. Black people in America have resisted oppression in systemic, institutional, interpersonal and intrapersonal forms for centuries. Resistance can be both good and bad, and it means different things for different people. Black resistance is the foundation of American democracy. Resistance for Black Americans started in the 1800s, as Black Americans were mistreated and forced into chattel slavery. A major mechanism of resistance was marching. An effort to combat racial injustice with the goal of reaching equal rights for Black Americans. Black resistance movements began during the era of slavery through the Underground Railroad and persisted through and after the Civil War. When the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln, it prompted an even larger resistance movement eventually leading to the Civil Rights era, including the 1960s when individuals radically armed themselves, ultimately resorting to violence.

Black Americans have literally institutionalized resistance by building strong supportive communities such as Black churches, periodicals, historically Black colleges and universities, the Congressional Black Caucus and many other groups and organizations, all founded to ensure the future success of African Americans which had not been previously granted due to the oppressive societal standards that existed in that era. Some of these organizations may be familiar: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). The NAACP advocated for political and educational access, and equity of minority group citizens across the country to eliminate racial prejudice. They strived to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes.

In 1942 a group of Black and white students in Chicago founded CORE, empowering one of America’s most prolific Civil Rights movements. The CORE organization worked alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. and was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s protest strategies of nonviolence and civil disobedience. The SCLC mission was to focus its effort on citizenship, schools and efforts to desegregate individual southern cities. Their goal was to plan rallies, marches and boycotts to end racial discrimination across the South. The SNCC organization sought to coordinate youth-led nonviolent, direct-action campaigns against segregation and other forms of racism. These young Black college students conducted sit-ins around the country to protest the segregation of restaurants and establishments. These organizations and actions that were taken are what turned the world the way it is today. So Black resistance means a lot to me, because if it wasn’t for our ancestors, and these coalitions that were formed, we would not be able to co-exist in the world today. Black resistance plays a major role in my life and the lives of African Americans across the country today.

Keyona Gardner - Specialist, Guest Services

“Service to the People” – the Importance of Community Food Programs

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Freedom Center Voices

August 1, 2023

“Service to the People” – The Importance of Community Food Programs

Food insecurity has long been a problem in the United States, made worse by increased income inequality. Wages have stagnated while food and healthcare prices keep increasing. According to Feeding America, over nine million children faced food insecurity in 2021. In that same year, 22% of Black children were food insecure. According to No Kid Hungry, food insecurity affects concentration, memory, mood and motor skills, which ultimately impacts school performance and behavior.

Food insecurity is a problem that many community organizations have fought to end. One of the most famous of these programs was the Free Breakfast for School Children started by the Black Panther Party. The Panthers were started by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in the mid-1960s to combat issues facing Black communities, such as hunger and lack of medical access.

The Black Panther Party recognized that hunger negatively impacts a child’s education and basic functionality. The Free Breakfast for Schoolchildren Program offered free, hot and nutritionally balanced breakfast for any child who attended the program. The program started off feeding a few hundred kids but grew to help over 20,000 kids by the end of its first year. By 1969, hundreds of free breakfast programs had opened throughout the country.  

Another Black Panther Party food initiative was the Free Food Program, which focused on all community members, not just children. According to Food Insecurity in Black Communities by Feeding America, Black Americans are three times more likely to face hunger than white Americans. Each week, the organization would deliver a week’s worth of nutritious, fresh foods to those requesting assistance. Food donations from various stores helped fuel both of the Panther food programs. In 1969, the U.S. National Lunch Program acknowledged that the Panthers were feeding more low-income children than they were. 

You can still find local food aid in your community. These programs can be found at food banks such as the Freestore Foodbank. Local churches often have food pantries that deliver food to their neighbors. Consider donating to these organizations or volunteering to cook and distribute food.  

Autumn Pitney - Manager of Guest Experiences

Autumn holds a Bachelor's degree in Art History, Criticism and Conversation from the University of Cincinnati, and has been with the Freedom Center for almost two years (at time of publishing). 

Louise Shropshire, Civil Rights icon and Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Inductee

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Freedom Center Voices

July 17, 2023

Louise Shropshire, Civil Rights icon and Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Inductee 

Louise Shropshire (1913-1993) was born in Alabama and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her grandparents were enslaved. Composing hymns at a young age, she eventually worked as the music minister at the Revelation Baptist Church in Cincinnati. She conducted the mass choir of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs in Cincinnati in 1935. Her hymnals were popularized throughout churches and were used during the Civil Rights Movement. “If My Jesus Wills,” was published in 1942, and used by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to bring people together during the Civil Rights Movement. The work was copyrighted in 1954.

“I’ll overcome, 

I’ll overcome, 

I’ll overcome someday, 

If my Jesus wills, 

I do believe, 

I’ll overcome someday.” 

“We Shall Overcome,” a song that brought hope, courage, and unity to the Civil Rights Movement was inspired by “If My Jesus Wills.” “We Shall Overcome” is believed to have come from African American workers were striking against the American Tobacco Co. in Charleston, South Carolina because they were only making $0.45 an hour. Pete Seeger overheard these workers singing and would go on to popularize the song.

“We Shall Overcome” has very similar lyrics to “If My Jesus Wills”: 

“We Shall Overcome, 

We Shall Overcome, 

We shall overcome someday, 

Deep in my heart, 

I do believe, 

We shall overcome someday.” 

Click here to listen to the Azuza Pacific University Gospel Choir perform “If My Jesus Wills.”   

Louise passed away in 1993. Her final words to her grandson, Robert A. Goins Shropshire, were “Someday, somebody’s gonna do somethin’ with with all my music.” In 2016, the We Shall Overcome Foundation filed a class-action lawsuit against The Richmond Organization, who they believed claimed illegitimate copyright. In 2018, a New York Federal Judge signed an order that released “We Shall Overcome” in public domain, which granted people easier access to Louise’s song. Her grandson believes she would been so happy that her song could be used by everyone.3 

Louise will be inducted into the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame on July 22nd, 2023. For more information, visit their website https://www.cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org/.  

Autumn Pitney - Manager of Guest Experiences

Autumn holds a Bachelor's degree in Art History, Criticism and Conversation from the University of Cincinnati, and has been with the Freedom Center for almost two years (at time of publishing). 

From The Curator’s Desk – Why Do Curators Wear Gloves?

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Freedom Center Voices
July 7, 2023

From the Curator’s Desk – Why Do Curators Wear Gloves?

Curators and experts who handle objects wear gloves for important reasons. One reason is that our hands naturally have oils, dirt, and dust on them. These things may not seem harmful, but they can actually damage the objects. The oils and dirt can make the delicate artifacts deteriorate more quickly. Some objects may even have dangerous substances which we don't want on our bodies. For example, weighted silk can contain arsenic and old medical instruments contain mercury which can be harmful.

To avoid leaving marks, dirt, or fingerprints on objects, curators wear gloves. Curators have used cotton gloves in the past but have found a few issues with the material. They can get caught on objects, especially ones made of rough wood or sharp metal. Also, cotton gloves can't protect against water or chemicals, which can be a problem for certain objects.

Curators and people handling objects at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center use nitrile gloves. These gloves are great because they are water and chemical resistant. They also have a more textured surface that helps with gripping objects. With nitrile gloves, curators can focus on appreciating the beauty and history of the artifacts without worrying about accidentally damaging them.

The next time you visit a museum or gallery, take a moment to think about the hard work of curators. By simply wearing gloves, they make sure our cultural treasures are preserved for everyone to research, view, and enjoy for years to come.

Reading History and Civics in Middle and High School

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Freedom Center Voices
June 30, 2023

Reading History and Civics in Middle and High School

A colleague recently dropped by my office to discuss a radio report she heard on her commute. The May 3, 2023 NPR report “History and Civics Scores Drop for U.S. Eighth Graders on National Test” had her wondering how the Freedom Center could support parents of middle and high schoolers who want to improve their students’ reading skills in history and civics.  My answer was – that’s a great idea! Here is information for parents who want to know more.

How do I know if my child is really “reading:”

To truly read a written text, you must be comprehending what is written. Pronouncing the words on the page doesn’t automatically equate to understanding the meaning conveyed by those words. You must discuss the text with your students to gauge if they are comprehending what they read.

Do you read all texts the same way?

No. You change how you read depending upon the text. You engage different reading skills and practices when reading a poem compared to reading a math story problem. You also employ different skills and practices when you read fiction versus non-fiction. Reading a novel and following character and plot development requires a different skillset compared to pulling important information from a newspaper article or chapter in a science textbook.

When students enter middle and high school, they have learned the basic skills and strategies for reading and comprehending texts across different genres. However, they do not yet have the reading skills they need to successfully understand the complex, discipline-specific texts required in middle and high school. Reading instruction cannot end in elementary school. Middle and high school teachers need the time and support to engage students with discipline-specific texts – and I’m not talking about textbooks. Students need to learn to read the type of texts they will encounter throughout their life.

What should students be reading to improve their history and civics literacy?

As the NPR articles states, “Teaching history is built on the foundation of reading comprehension.” We read to engage with the past. Of course, reading non-fiction texts is terrific. However, not everyone enjoys it. Non-fiction in smaller doses, such as content on websites, might have more appeal. Credible institutions, such as the Freedom Center, have texts about various historical events and people. Historical fiction is also a great way to learn about past societies.

Civics teaches us to be citizens in our participatory democracy. Therefore, we need to stay informed about the issues our country is facing. As the NPR report noted, “…we need to make sure our kids are engaged citizens, and that means they need to be informed with knowledge and the skills to do this work. And that takes every class.” Newspaper and magazine articles are essential reading. Books about civic engagement and social justice reveal how our system operates and how citizens make societal, political and economic changes.

Importantly, we need to teach students to identify credible sources. This is an essential civic reading skill. There is a lot of information out there, especially online, and not all of it is based upon facts and evidence.
Here is just one source that can help you judge the credibility of websites: https://thecollegepost.com/best-tips-check-website-credibility/.
Here is one about the credibility of sources in general: https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/credible-sources/.

How can I get my student to read history and civics texts? Obviously, you can’t force your student to read, but there are things you can do to encourage reading.

 

1. Read together. Parents typically stop reading to their students around middle school. However, you should continue to read with your students. If you are reading the same texts, you can have conversations about the content, and that improves comprehension for both of you.

2. Talk (and read) about current events. Talk to your kids about the current events you read about. Seek out and read articles on topics that interest your student, and then ask them to read the articles. You can text them the link and talk about it over dinner or in the car. Ask them for their opinions and have them justify those opinions with facts and evidence. Ask them to evaluate the opinions expressed by others based upon provided evidence.

3. Encourage exploration. Smartphones provide us with access to unlimited information, including quality publications. Subscribe to some of them and provide your student with access. If your student shows interest in a particular topic, take a trip to the library (in person or online) and learn more together.

Dr. Amy Bottomley is the Director of Educational Initiatives at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. She has earned a B.S. in Secondary Education: Social Studies, a M.Ed. in Reading Education, and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. Amy has taught high school social studies and reading courses in Ohio and Maryland, as well as teacher education courses at the University of Cincinnati. She is dedicated to teaching for social justice and supporting teachers in their pursuit of inclusive classroom practices. Amy can be contacted at (513) 333-7586 or at abottomley@nurfc.org.

Freedom Center Spotlight: Meili Clark

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Freedom Center Voices

Meili Clark

She/ Her

Graphic Designer, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Fast Facts

Hometown

Barberton, Ohio

Hobbies

Gardening, jigsaw puzzles and ceramics

Fun Fact

I'm a retired ice cream scooper and also a former employee of Holtman's Donuts, so obviously I have a sweet tooth.

Freedom Center Spotlight
Meili Clark joined the Freedom Center in the summer of 2018 as a graphic designer.

What does your job entail?

My job is to steward the museum's visual brand. So anywhere the logo appears, or anything that we prepare for guests or visitors, or even for staff to use in their day-to-day business—I'm in charge of creating those materials and making sure they fit our brand standards.

What has been your favorite project at the Freedom Center?

I love getting to work on special exhibits that travel to the museum. One of my personal favorites was a Smithsonian traveling exhibit called MEN OF CHANGE: POWER. TRIUMPH. TRUTH.

I really enjoyed that show because it debuted at our museum. We were the first venue and it was really incredible to get the first peek.  It featured photography and quotes—it was just a visually stunning exhibition and it felt special to be part of opening it for the first time.

If you could switch jobs with anyone for a week, what job would you want to try?

If I could try out any job in the museum field, I think I'd go for an archivist. I'm not familiar with everything they do, but I really like to organize just about anything. I find labeling, filing and alphabetizing so satisfying. In another life, I think I would have enjoyed getting to hunker down and organize information or collections.

What's a piece of advice you would give to someone starting this type of work? 

For anyone starting out in non-profit, justice or advocacy work—a lesson I'm still learning is that it's really, really important to take care of yourself. This type of work is so important, and most people that work in these areas care really deeply. It's really easy to burn yourself out taking on too much work, or overlook the emotional toll. There are times to pour yourself into your work, but you always need to come back and take care of yourself, too.

What book would you recommend from the Freedom Store? 

"Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

What is your favorite part of the museum?

My favorite part of the museum is Freedom's Eternal Flame on our third floor terrace. It calls back to the candles Underground Railroad conductors placed in windows to mark safe houses. It will also burn until all people are free around the world. It's a beautiful moment that symbolizes hope for a better world and the work still left to do.