The Notable Women of Muncie and Delaware County Project will host “Women of Whitely: At the Heart of Muncie’s Black History” at the Shaffer Chapel Museum, 1501 E. Highland Ave., in Muncie at 6 p.m. Feb. 26. This free public program celebrates the leadership, resilience, and creativity of Black women who shaped Muncie’s historic Whitely neighborhood.
The event is part of Bracken Library’s 50th anniversary celebration and Muncie Public Library’s America 250 initiative and will bring together local historians and cultural institutions to honor the lasting impact of these women on the community. The Notable Women of Muncie and Delaware County Project is a collaboration between Ball State University Libraries, Delaware County Historical Society, Gardens, and Muncie Public Library, highlighting the power of shared storytelling and community partnership.
“This event shines a light on the remarkable women of the Whitely neighborhood whose leadership, resilience, and creativity helped shape Muncie,” said Sara McKinley, Carnegie Library manager and Muncie Public Library archivist. “By sharing their stories in the heart of the community they helped build, we honor their legacies and ensure future generations know the power of their contributions.”
Held in recognition of Black History Month, the program will feature a panel discussion in which historians will explore the lives and achievements of women who served as educators, activists, entrepreneurs, faith leaders, and community builders. Using photographs and archival materials, panelists will examine how these women influenced Muncie’s cultural, civic, and social landscape, and how their work continues to inspire today.
Panelists include:
- Melissa Gentry, map collections supervisor, Ball State University Libraries
- Sara McKinley, Carnegie Library manager and archivist, Muncie Public Library
- Karen Vincent, executive director, Delaware County Historical Society and Delaware County historian
For more information, contact Ms. Gentry at mgentry@bsu.edu.