Travelgirl - Washington, DC
April, 2023
Our seven Travelgirls, ages thirteen to seventeen, arrived in DC expecting a trip perhaps similar to one that many schools bring their students on. Those expectations changed on Monday morning when we met the Smithsonian’s Undersecretary, Dr. Monique Chism, who introduced to us Dr. Fellicia Bell, Senior Advisor to the Director of the American History Museum. Dr. Bell gave a riveting talk, during which she shared the story of the path she took to her current position—a path which included constant rejection in college and graduate school. At the end of the talk, Cinnamongirl Travel Curator Lena Jennings asked, “What does “a life of greatness’ look like to you?” Dr. Bell’s answer set the tone for the rest of our trip. To hear what she said, click here.
We met with Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Eric Swallwell, who shared their commitment to public service and their belief that love will prevail over hate. Congressman Swalwell told a heartfelt story that everyone should hear, and Senator Booker told a story about the importance of self care that resonated deeply with all of us. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi met our girls and took time to learn about our Write Your Story cohort, as well. We also met several Black women leaders, including author, environmentalist and social justice advocate Christine Platt, who urged us to respect our work, our many roles as females, and our highest dreams.
This being DC, we toured various museums, including the American History Museum, the newly renovated Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, and the renowned National Museum of African American History and Culture. Dr. Reneé Anderson, a textile expert who worked on the Emmett Till exhibition at the NMAAHC, led our group on the final day of our trip. She brought us first to the sobering Middle Passage exhibit in the basement: a replica of the hold of a 15th century slave ship, filled with sounds of crashing waves and creaking wood as the haunting voice of a Black man recounted the horrors of the voyage. We moved on to learn about 18th century artists such as silversmith Peter Bentzon, whose beautiful teapot evoked the talent and perseverance it took for anyone of African descent to survive and succeed in those times. Seeing Nat Turner’s bible and Harriet Tubman’s silk shawl, given to her by Queen Victoria, brought us closer to these historic leaders.
After reflecting on how our people continue to rise from a past rooted in enormous suffering and hardship, our Cinnamongirls took in the museum’s newest exhibit: Afrofuturism, an art form that incorporates elements of the past and the future. According to museum director Kevin Young, “Afrofuturism tells us about how the past thought about the future; and how African Americans dreamt of worlds they wished to occupy and soon brought into being.” What a fitting exhibit for our Cinnamongirls, who are learning to honor our past as they lead us into the future.
At the end of the tour, we were treated to a Southern meal of fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and lemonade. After our last meal together, the Travelgirls boarded flights home to three different states, full of fond memories and inspiration from this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Check out these amazing videos from our trip!