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Image for event: Celia's Story

Celia's Story

A Justice Journey

2025-04-14 17:00:00 2025-04-14 19:00:00 America/Chicago Celia's Story 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. Callaway Electric Cooperative Community Room - 1313 Cooperative Dr., Fulton

Monday, April 14
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-04-14 17:00:00 2025-04-14 19:00:00 America/Chicago Celia's Story 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. Callaway Electric Cooperative Community Room - 1313 Cooperative Dr., Fulton

Callaway Electric Cooperative Community Room

1313 Cooperative Dr., Fulton

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:

  • Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, 2nd great granddaughter of Celia and Robert Newsom
  • Nancy Fogle-Compos, 4th great granddaughter of Robert Newsom and Elizabeth Gwinn Newsom
  • Solomon Thurman, Jr., Celia portrait artist and historian
  • Dr. Zachary Dowdle, assistant professor of history, William Woods University

The library will provide refreshments. For more information, visit celianewsomlegacyfoundation.org.

Adults.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | History & Genealogy | Featured |

TAGS: | |

Community Events


Hours
Mon, Mar 31 6:00AM to 10:30PM
Tue, Apr 01 6:00AM to 10:30PM
Wed, Apr 02 6:00AM to 10:30PM
Thu, Apr 03 6:00AM to 10:30PM
Fri, Apr 04 6:00AM to 10:30PM
Sat, Apr 05 6:00AM to 10:30PM
Sun, Apr 06 6:00AM to 10:30PM

About the branch

Please note that this program is taking place at a community location rather than a branch location. Please see the event description to confirm the location of this program.

Upcoming events

Tue, Apr 01, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
106 Orr Street, Columbia MO
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Tue, Apr 08, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
106 Orr Street, Columbia MO
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Mon, Apr 14, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
1313 Cooperative Dr., Fulton

Tue, Apr 15, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
106 Orr Street, Columbia MO
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2200 I-70 Dr. SW, Columbia

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106 Orr Street, Columbia MO
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106 Orr Street, Columbia MO
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