Book Release Celebration: SWVA Civil Rights Leader: Nannie Berger Hairston, An Oral History
Venue: Christiansburg Library, Christiansburg
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Event Types: Speaking Engagements
Cost: Free
Description:
The Christiansburg Library presents Southwest Virginia Civil Rights Leader: Nannie Berger Hairston, An Oral History on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Did you miss getting a copy of Southwest Virginia Civil Rights Leader: Nannie Berger Hairston An Oral History? Good news! Blacksburg Books will be here with more books to sell and Sheree Scarborough and N.L. Bishop will be here to sign them.

Join us to celebrate the release of "Southwest Virginia Civil Rights Leader: Nannie Berger Hairston - An Oral History". Author Sheree Scarborough and Dr. N.L. Bishop (author of the book's foreword) will discuss the life of Nannie Berger Hairston, a trailblazer in social justice and civil rights. From her family’s move to Christiansburg in 1953 to her legacy as an icon and leader by the time of her death in 2017, Nannie’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and activism.

Event Highlights:
• Discussion with Sheree Scarborough, who used Nannie’s own words to tell her remarkable story.
• Insight into local civil rights history and Nannie’s impactful contributions.
• Book signing and copies available for purchase from Blacksburg Books.

Author Sheree Scarborough, who spent years interviewing Hairston and compiling her oral history, will share unique insights into Hairston’s groundbreaking contributions, including her involvement with the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and her advocacy for the Christiansburg Community Center, formerly known as the Hill School, the region’s only high school for African American students. This was the original site of what became the Christiansburg Institute.

In recognition of Nannie Hairston’s lifelong dedication to service, Hairston she was honored with the Maggie L. Walker Community Service Award in 1997, and a bronze bust was dedicated to her at the Montgomery County Government Center in 2006. Hairston was one of the first honorees named by the Library of Virginia in their partnership with Dominion Energy’s Strong Men & Women in Virginia History program in 2013. Her legacy continues to inspire through the Nannie B. Hairston Award, which is presented annually by the local NAACP chapter.

This is a free event and all are welcome.

Come be part of this important celebration of local history.

The Christiansburg Library is located at 125 Sheltman Street in Christiansburg, VA.

To view the event flyer, visit: https://i.postimg.cc/qRgdJHyG/image.png.

For more information, visit: http://www.montgomery-floyd.lib.va.us/ or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christiansburg-Library-Montgomery-Floyd-Regional-Library-System-Va/343472325300 or https://www.facebook.com/events/997037768537316/ or call 540-382-6965.