Article in Syracuse Alumni magazine

There is an article about me in the Syracuse Alumni magazine. My daughter Martha wrote it. read the article

Joan Southgate '52 lives in Cleveland, Ohio, where she is a social worker, organizer, and activist. In 2002, at age 73, she walked more than 500 miles from southern Ohio to southeastern Canada to honor the anonymous heroes of the Underground Railroad (UGRR) who, at great personal risk, helped fugitive slaves to freedom in the northern United States and in Canada. Since then, the longtime activist has helped found Restore Cleveland Hope, a UGRR education center that will be located in the last remaining house in Cleveland with any connection to the UGRR. We wanted to know how Southgate decided to make this journey, as well as a second one in May. She told her story to her daughter, novelist Martha Southgate.

-Syracuse Magazine Fall /Winter 2009

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Went to church with George, his sister Jo from Tennesee and Sally. All white choir, all white UCC church and the opening hymn is Lift Every Voice and Sing. Lovely.

After church we talked with 93 year old Margaret Ticknor and her daughters. Although she is small, rather frail and has had a stroke, today, during our brief conversation she was alert and engaged, even correcting some details of Austinburg's rich history. Her daughter, Ginny was pleasantly surprised. Later Ginny gave an exciting tour of the Cowles family home. Ginny is an historian and tour guide, who showed us many authentic artifacts and one room, a study, that had been kept in its original state as stipulated in Betsey Cowles will. Betsey was an amazing strong woman who was one of the first female students at Oberlin College, an abolitionist and a suffragette. And her strong sense of history has made it possible for the family to still have all of these important pieces, furniture, books, documents, journals and stories.

May 14th and 15th

What a day! It seems like 3 days because so much has happened.

Weather: Sort of Chilly maybe in the upper 50s Where I walked: moved on from Chautauqua NY early because we have walked a good bit past it. We are in Erie PA

The “Safe house” where I stayed: There was Dani Kinney the other day and in Erie we are staying at the Avalon Hotel. Our original host Sheri Nelson has a cat and Sally is allergic. So Sheri and her partner Michelle got us a room at the hotel on them. Paul & Hope Desante in Fairfiew PA.

The people I met: Whew there is quite a list. Sheri, Michelle, reconnected with Lisa Gensheimer, (from my walk in 2003). We met a teacher and local historian by the name of Johnny Johnson.

Who walked with me: Sally Tatnall, my good friend, fellow walker and planner extraordinaire, Johnny Johnson and Marilyn Sobotinic.

One thing I really want you to know: We visited the Watson-Curtze Mansion We were out and about and came across a group of 3rd graders on a field trip to a local health fair. Next thing that you know Johnny explained who I was and they gathered around to hear my story.

We were on TV channel 24 in Erie PA. Johnny Johnson took pictures and video.

Tech troubles, Miracles and Love

We are having trouble finding internet along the way and my lap top & I are struggling because I am so non tech savvy. Anyway, I am now in a library in Dunkirk NY.

What a blessed send-off, what a beginning to the walk! (May 1st in Canada).

We stopped at Wilma Morrison's to see that she has had a lot done since I was here in 2003. The church and museum look great. At Norval Johnson Heritage Centre many books have been added in the library and painting and refurbishing to the outside. I am so in love with all the St. Catharines folks and invite every one to come to Cleveland soon. I noticed a book at her house about widows. Wilma and I got to talk about our husbands. It is always good to go back and remember out loud. And of course, Wilma had a wonderful punch line about waiting to see her husband on the other side so she can tell him off about leaving all his train hobby stuff for her to clean up after he was gone.

Lesley gave a running one-on-one tour guide recitation as we walked to the bridge with stories of URR history and history of her family too.

Except for yesterday morning, which was chilly and foggy and mist turning to real rain, the weather has been warm bright and breezy, perfect for walking. When we reached Niagara Falls we each took $5.00 into the Casino and my daughter Letitia won $60 on the very last pull of the handle.

Even with tech/internet problems and ignorance, we finally got my cranky borrowed cell to work so maybe I'll tweet and twit and twitter as often as we can get and keep a signal as we walk through the small towns.

All along the way folks have been eager to help and listen. More than one person has used the phrase "we are a caring community”. So genuine and no one has to say it all just prove it by their actions. We are surrounded by love, walking in miracle day by day.

In Their Path 2009

Welcome! My name is Joan Southgate. In the following posts, I have written a few thoughts I've had walking the under ground railroad. I will periodically post new thoughts and questions. Your job is to look at each post and respond to or comment on that question. I look forward to a very lively discussion with you!