Folklorist Jane Beck retells powerful stories of Daisy Turner and the African American experience in Vermont
Dateline: January 4, 2013
Barre, Vt. ― The life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were honored at the Vermont History Center in Barre on January 21, 2013. Acclaimed folklorist and commentator Dr. Jane Beck recounted the stories of Daisy Turner of Grafton, who was herself the child of former slaves. This story spans two centuries of American history, from Africa into slavery and back to freedom, and is based on research for a new book about the Turner family.
Jane Beck first met Daisy in 1983 and recorded a series of interviews about her remarkable life. Those interviews were the basis for the Peabody Award-winning radio series “Journey’s End: The Memories and Traditions of Daisy Turner and Her Family.”
Daisy Turner left us a legacy loaded with tales of discrimination, resilience, and strength of the African American experience in Vermont. Her talent, her strength of character and personality, and her rich personal story make her a notable figure in Vermont history.
“We are pleased to have Jane Beck join us to lead this event. Her insight will reflect powerfully on this important day.” says Vermont Historical Society’s executive director Mark Hudson.
Dr. Jane Beck was the founding director of the Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury, Vermont. She has published numerous articles, books, and other materials and is a regular commentator on Vermont Public Radio.
