"We should remember those who changed the world."

That’s what Allison, a sixth grader at Herberg Middle School, said following a recent presentation about Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman by local author Jana Laiz. Laiz wrote the book “A Free Woman on God’s Earth,” about Mumbet, the first African-American woman to file and win a freedom suit in Massachusetts.

Berkshire United Way, through the Berkshire Youth Development Project, purchased 338 copies of Laiz’s book for Herberg students to read prior to her presentation.  In return, Laiz agreed to do a day of presentations for Herberg students to provide even more meaning to what they had read. Connecting positive role models and mentors such as Laiz to young people in the Berkshires is one of the many ways Berkshire United Way creates positive opportunities for young people in our community.

Learning that an independent movie, based on Laiz’s book, will be produced in the Berkshires by critically-acclaimed actress, Octavia Spencer, elicited additional enthusiasm from the students.

“The presentations were very well received by the students and the faculty. Additionally, many of the students took advantage of having their books autographed by the author,” commented Herberg Principal, Dr. Gina Coleman.

Seventh grade students at Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield visit the Ashley House in Sheffield, MA.  Mumbet, who was enslaved in the Ashley House, helped end slavery in Massachusetts.

Berkshire United Way is proud to support positive youth development activities such as this in schools throughout Berkshire County. To learn more about this work and/or to join our Positive Youth Development Impact Council (PYDIC), please email me at ktoomey@berkshireunitedway.org or give me a call at 413-442-6948 x 15.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Kat Toomey
Coordinator of Positive Youth Development