HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY WITH A PUBLIC RADIO SERIES
SALUTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN IN HISTORY

Washington, D.C., January 15, 2003 - Moments to Remember, an award-winning public radio series that celebrates Black History throughout the year is returning for a second year, hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2003, the series begins with "Black Women: Great Moments in History." What did they contribute to American history? Why are they significant today? Each segment provides answers to these questions and more by profiling the achievements of 30 black women-past to present. Over 100 public radio stations nationwide currently air Moments to Remember. The radio show is also featured on the Africana.com website.

This first of its kind public radio series features stories about legendary women, such as Madame C.J. Walker (1867-1919), the first female millionaire, Lucy Terry Prince (1730-1821), the first slave to argue a case before the Supreme Court and contemporary writer Maya Angelou, the first woman to produce a screenplay. Unknown heroines have also played a vital role in American history like Mary Fields (1832-1914) the first female stagecoach driver for the postal service and Susan King Taylor (1842-1912) the first army nurse. Behind these women's stories are countless other women, whose untold contributions are the foundation upon which we all stand.

Henry Louis Gates Jr., award-winning author, host of the acclaimed PBS series "Wonders of the African World," and chair of the Afro-American studies department at Harvard University is the program host. "I'm excited about the continuation of this radio series. It's important for us to remember the role of African-Americans in American History throughout the year and not just during Black History Month. " said Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Donna Limerick, Executive Producer of the series said, " African-American women have played a vital role in American society. Many of these women have remained invisible in our history books because society refused to value their work as writers, singers, educators, journalists, politicians and more. This series heralds the contributions of women, presents their achievements and brings great personalities of the past to life."

Moments To Remember has received awards from The New York Festivals, which recognize the world's best work in news, information, entertainment, programming & promotion and from The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for its programming excellence.

Moments to Remember was created by Executive Producer Donna Limerick. Limerick was the producer for Horizons, National Public Radio's award-winning documentary series from 1979-1996. Under her direction, the series won more than 125 major broadcast awards. She has produced many radio documentaries about jazz legends past and present, such as Jazz Is…In The Arts, hosted by Jon Hendricks.

Moments to Remember is produced by North Star Communications, a radio production and syndication company located in Washington, D.C. Its national productions, distributed by National Public Radio, include "Paul Robeson: A Tribute to My Friend," produced in cooperation with WBGO-FM and the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Other recent productions, distributed by National Public Radio, include "From Rhythm and Blues: Crossing the Color Line," and "Civil Rights Profiles," both hosted by author and civil rights activist Julian Bond.

Africana.com, an AOL Time Warner Company has emerged as the nation's premiere website devoted to worldwide black culture, news and arts.