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Upcoming Lectures

    • September 09, 2025
    • 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Oakwood Village University Woods Arts & Education Center

     

    Pre-Civil War Quilts: Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad


    Tuesday, September 9 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.


    In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

    Arts & Education Center


    6205 Mineral Point Road


    Registration is Not Required

    FREE PARKING


    In her lecture Connie Martin tells the history of the Underground Railroad, safe routes used from South to North, and stories of how quilt codes and their meanings, were used to warn of dangers, indicate how transport might occur and who might help as “Friends” on the Underground Railroad. She includes information passed down to her, a sixth- generation descendant of captured slaves forced into slavery in America. She shares her knowledge originating from an information packed family Bible dating back to the 1850’s. It revealed key abolitionists, safe escape routes passing from Kentucky through counties in Illinois. She mesmerizes the audience with her visually stunning slides showing each quilt code within vibrant, fabric, quilt patterns along with instances of special stitching used in over a dozen beautifully hand-crafted quilt replicas; each sewn by her mother for this presentation.

    Connie’s mother, Dr. Clarice Boswell, wrote a book, Lizzie’s Story: A Slave Family’s Journey to Freedom, the foundation of the presentation, and then created and performed this family presentation for 16 years.

    Connie Martin is a retired middle school Language Arts teacher of 32 years, a 35-year Aqua Fitness Master Trainer, senior Fitness Instructor, mother, and G-Ma to four grandkids. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois State University where her thesis was on Integrating African American History in Educational Curriculums.                                                   

    ________________________________________

    Transportation Options:


    Bicycle:  Bike racks are available


    Bus: The BRT Route A bus  runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.  


    Car: 

    • Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
    •  Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
    •  Turn right into driveway.
    •   Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
    • When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
    • _________________________

    Questions?  Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

    • September 25, 2025
    • 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Oakwood Village University Woods Arts & Education Center

     


    Healing the Heart through Forgiveness


    Thursday, September 25 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.


    In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

    Arts & Education Center


    6205 Mineral Point Road


    Registration is Not Required

    FREE PARKING


    Lisa Rickert has spent 20-plus years working with defense teams on death penalty cases around the country. She has witnessed the pain and trauma of those who have lost a loved one to murder. In the process, she has also explored and uncovered layers of pain and trauma in the lives of those who killed another human being. She has been humbled by those who trusted her with their stories of buried wounds and has been in awe of those who chose mercy in response to unspeakable pain.

    It is Lisa’s core belief that people who forgive contribute to a kinder, more peaceful world.

    Lisa earned her MSW at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  As a social worker, she has worked in the areas of juvenile delinquency, child protection, and sentencing advocacy.  She has always been fascinated by emotional healing practices, particularly the work of Dr. Robert Enright, a professor of educational psychology at UW-Madison, and a leader in the study of forgiveness in the  healing process.                                                                                           



                                                       

    ________________________________________

    Transportation Options:


    Bicycle:  Bike racks are available


    Bus: The BRT Route A bus  runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.  


    Car: 

    • Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
    •  Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
    •  Turn right into driveway.
    •   Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
    • When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
    • _________________________

    Questions?  Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

Past Lectures


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info@platomadison.org

Facebook: @platomadison

608-572-6869

6209 Mineral Point Road #203
Madison, WI 53705








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