One of the first African-American Mount Vernon Research Fellows speaks to her experience and research at Mount Vernon Library. This upbeat conversation reminds us that when we do not always have the privilege of seeing ourselves represented, it can be challenging to walk in as one of the first. However, after being the first, you know you open the door to those that follow.
Sheila Arnold has been performing since she was 8 years old. She currently lives in Hampton, VA and presents Storytelling Programs, Historic Character Presentations, Christian Monologues, Professional Development for Educators and Inspirational/Motivational Speaking for schools, churches and organizations throughout the US. Sheila is a Mt. Vernon Research Fellow concentrating her focus on her historic character presentation Oney Judge, personal maidservant to Martha Washington. Most recently she has worked with Northern Lights, Inc. on the James Madison’s Montpelier Mansion African-American exhibit film , “Fate in the Balance”, which won the 2018 AAM Muse Silver Award for Multimedia. Find Sheila online on her website: www.mssheila.org
