Documentary "Alice's Ordinary People" showing on Monday, March 13 @ 6:30pm

The Dover Public Library is pleased to be among selected libraries in New Hampshire to screen the powerful civil rights film, “Alice’s Ordinary People” and to visit with its filmmaker Craig Dudnick. Join us on Monday, March 13 at 6:30pm for this extraordinary event.

“Alice's Ordinary People” is a 56-minute documentary about Alice Tregay, an unsung heroine of the Civil Rights Movement.  Her remarkable story spans the historic period from the marches of Dr. King to the election of Barack Obama. Her great contribution to the field of politics is the thread which connects these two men.  

Alice’s life story reads like a history of the movement. Early on she fought the “Willis Wagons”, second class structures built to relieve overcrowding in Chicago schools which served the African American community. Their very existence perpetuated segregation.

In 1966, Dr. King came to Chicago. Alice and her husband James marched with him, often at great personal risk. It was at this time that Dr. King joined Reverends Jesse Jackson and James Bevel to form Operation Breadbasket. Breadbasket fought racism on many fronts, but its main focus was jobs for African Americans, particularly at businesses drawing profits from the African American community.

Under the leadership of Reverend Jackson, the months that Alice and her “ordinary people” spent picketing led to real change. But it was through her “Political Education” class that Alice had her most significant impact. Over a four-year period, thousands were trained to work in independent political campaigns. This new force was integral to the re-election of Ralph Metcalf to Congress, the election of Harold Washington as Chicago Mayor, and to making Barack Obama our first African American President.

Alice’s contribution is unique in American history, and Craig Dudnick will speak about the circumstances in Chicago which drew Alice to the movement, and how he came to make the film.  An audience discussion will follow the screening

This program is free and open to all. For more information, please call the Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.