DAVENPORT, IOWA (February 18, 2021) — The Davenport Public Library is pleased to host the virtual presentation “Louise Burtis and Matilda Hilbring: Biracial Women in Early Quad Cities History” presented by Jane Simonsen, Professor of History and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Augustana College on Tuesday, March 2, 6:30PM, on Zoom.
This talk will explore the complicated landscape of race, property, and power in the antebellum Quad Cities by looking at the lives of two biracial women, Louise Burtis and Matilda Hilbring. Burtis, whose mother was Meskwaki, attempted to secure a place for herself in 1830-50s Iowa through her land claims and a series of strategic marriages. Hilbring was a Black woman, possibly born into indentured servitude, who lived in the household of Rock Island mayor Bailey Davenport and married a white man after giving birth to Davenport’s son. Their lives expose both the limited choices and power available to women of color in different circumstances as well as their efforts to survive and provide in a white man’s world.
Registration is required to receive Zoom meeting details. Register here: https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/7526269.
Keep up with our virtual programming on our Virtual Branch Calendar of Events at https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/calendar/virtual.
This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information visit www.davenportlibrary.com or call the library at (563) 326-7832.
