Born in Old Saybrook in 1908, Ann Lane Petry skyrocketed to public notice in 1947 when her novel, The Street, hit the bestseller list. The first Black American woman to sell a million copies of a book, she shunned fame while building a body of work that included novels, short stories, literary criticism, and children’s books. Her work examined the ways that race, class, and gender affected the lives of Black women, anticipating the critical framework known today as intersectionality. In this free, virtual discussion, Dr. Deborah McDowell and Dr. Ravynn K. Stringfield will explore Petry’s work and legacy.

This event is free! Get tickets online to receive the Zoom link. Questions? Contact Natalie Belanger, Adult Programs Manager, at nbelanger@connecticutmuseum.org.