The Redpath Lecture Series was established In 1989 when Nancy Redpath endowed an annual lecture series in memory of her late husband, Robert Redpath (b. 1906 – d. 1987), who was a long-time trustee devoted to the mission of SOMAS.
This lecture or series is often based on a topic that would have been of special interest to Redpath, such as communications and semantics.
2025 Redpath Lecture
“Slavery in New Jersey” - Dr. R. Isabela Morales.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
Winchester Gardens 333 Elmwood Avenue, Maplewood NJ.
Register online here. Course number 0020.
Topic: Slavery in New Jersey
Why was New Jersey called the "Slave State of the North"? How did slavery shape the politics, culture, and economy of our state for more than 200 years? And how did formerly enslaved people challenge pervasive racism to pursue the American dream? Using local examples to tell larger stories, award-winning author and historian Dr. Isabela Morales will discuss the history of enslaved people from New Jersey and Essex County's past. She will also share stories from her celebrated book Happy Dreams of Liberty: An American Family in Slavery and Freedom. Discover how enslaved people built our communities -- and why sharing their history is important today.
2024:
“What We Do(n't) Know About the 2024 Presidential Race” - Dr. Meena Bose
2023:
“The Story of An American Masterpiece: In Search of the Color Purple” - Salamishah Tillet
2022:
“Interrupting Bias and Microaggressions in Our Daily Lives” - Marta Esquilin
2020:
“Traveling ‘This Land’” - Dave Barry
2018:
“Me Too: One Year Later” - Joanne Lipman and Jim Pensiero
2017:
“America’s Shadow Wars: From 9/11 to the Trump Era” - Mark Mazzetti
2016:
“Choice 2016: The Rise of Trump” - Bob Hennelly
2014:
”The Silenced Majority: Stories of Uprisings, Occupations, Resistance, and Hope.” - Amy Goodman