Don't Miss the Live Reading of Sister Suffragists & The Harlem Hellfighter on Sunday, June 8, 2025!

In case you missed it the first time, FSWW, in partnership with Zoomcatchers and The Billie Holiday Theatre, is pleased to present a re-write reading of Sister Suffragists & The Harlem Hellfighter by Sheila Bassoppo-Moyo and directed by Byron C. Saunders.

The playwright has welcomed and incorporated audience feedback into this enhanced script! We are so proud of her on this development journey, as we continue to provide artistic and developmental support. Thanks to everyone who has watched and participated in the reading series!

We hope to see this play on stage at a theater near you!

Synopsis:

Synopsis: This historical drama brings to life the courageous activism of three African American Suffragists—Victoria Clay Haley, Madame C.J. Walker, and Ida B. Wells—and their connection to Sergeant Henry Johnson, a member of the famed Harlem Hellfighters.

Set against the backdrop of St. Louis in the early 20th century, the play explores the intersection of women’s rights, racial justice, and wartime heroism as three trailblazing women work tirelessly to secure the passage of the 19th Amendment, all while confronting the pervasive racism of their time.

Their efforts to bring Sergeant Henry Johnson to St. Louis to expose the U.S. military’s discriminatory treatment of Black soldiers underscores their commitment to racial equity on a national scale.

About the Playwright:

Sheila Bassoppo-Moyo was born in St. Louis, MO. She attended Vashon High School and later transferred to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. After graduating from Exeter, she obtained a BA in English Literature from Barnard College in New York City. She holds graduate degrees in Sociology from North Carolina Central University and a doctorate in Higher and Adult Education from the University of Memphis.

She has lived and worked in Zimbabwe for 10 years and is the Chair of the International Institute for African Scholars (IIAS). She recently co-founded The Black Aging Arts Theatre in St. Louis for older adults to write and perform new plays highlighting African and African American history

There will be a moderated critique session immediately following this reading where you can offer direct feedback to the playwright. Audience feedback is welcome and encouraged!

Come join the conversation!

Stay tuned for updates on our next readings & podcast releases!

Peace

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