Join the Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation for a compelling presentation delving into the story of Celia, an enslaved Callaway County woman who was executed for the murder of her sexually abusive enslaver Robert Newsom in 1855. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that she did not have the right to self-defense. Join historians and descendants of Celia and Robert to reflect on her story. Adults.
Join us for a compelling presentation delving into the story of Celia, an enslaved Callaway County woman who was executed for the murder of Robert Newsom, her sexually abusive enslaver, on December 21, 1855.
In Missouri in 1855, it was a crime to “take any woman unlawfully against her will and by force, menace or duress, compel her to…be defiled,” allowing women to argue self-defense in resisting such assaults. However, the Missouri High Court ruled that enslaved women did not have such a right. Over a century later, both white and black descendants of Celia and Robert Newsom and supporters joined forces to form the Justice for Celia Coalition and the Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation. After months of hard-fought advocacy, Celia Newsom was pardoned on December 20, 2024, nearly 169 years after her unjust execution. This evening's program offers a profound opportunity to reflect on Celia’s story and legacy.
The Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation presentation team will include:
The library will provide refreshments. For more information, visit celianewsomlegacyfoundation.org.
Adults.
Please note that this program is taking place at a community location, not at a library branch. See the event description to confirm the location of this program.
Call your library or email ada@dbrl.org for accommodation requests.
