Mary Jane Richards: The Civil War's Best Kept Secret

Happy Martin Luther King Jr day! Today we discuss "Mary Bowser", whose ACTUAL name was Mary Jane Richards, an extraordinary woman whose life exemplified courage and ingenuity during the American Civil War. Born into slavery in Virginia, she was freed by her owner, a Quaker, and later worked as a spy for the Union. After gaining her freedom, she worked in the Confederate White House in Richmond, Virginia, as a servant, which gave her unprecedented access to sensitive Confederate military and political information.


Her role as a spy is one of the most fascinating aspects of her life and the lack of information on her is astounding. We wanted to do her justice with this story, and have a large discussion about white people erasing black people from the history of this country.


Slavery still exists in this country. If you are interested in learning more about the incarnated men who are fighting the LA fires, and how to help, go here to support the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.


Created by Tess Bellomo and Claire Donald


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