I Was Amelia Earhart's Sister: Meet Muriel Morrissey!

June 6, 2024 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Join the Athol Public Library at 568 Main Street, Athol, on Thursday, June 6, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., when we welcome historic re-enactor Jessa Piaia as she portrays Amelia Earhart’s sister, Muriel Morrissey.

This program is set in 1963, when Muriel Morrissey (1899-1998) authored a biography of her famous sister, Amelia Earhart. This program runs for 35 minutes and there is also a Q&A portion at the end. Many articles, photos, and press clippings about Amelia Earhart will be on display for patrons to look at before and after the performance.

Amelia Earhart was a popular speaker on the national circuit prior to taking-off on her 1937 around the world flight, and was acclaimed as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932. Amelia was Inspired at an early age by the suffragist movement. Both sisters closely identified with the generation of ‘the new woman’.

Ms. Piaia uses drama to reveal the accomplishments, struggles, and contributions of women to American history. Jessa is acclaimed for re-creating history in the fullest sense and for using solid research, compelling writing, and artistry to bring off a one-woman show.

Jessa Piaia studied performance at London’s Oval House Theatre and graduated from UMASS Boston. She currently works at Harvard University. Research for this program began in 1992 and was conducted in the Amelia Earhart Collection at the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Cambridge, MA, the Microtext Department at the Boston Public Library, and the Amelia Earhart Branch Library in North Hollywood, CA.

This program is sponsored in part by the Athol Cultural Council, which is a part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and by the Friends of the Athol Public Library.

Free & Open to the Public! Registration required. You can register online with our library calendar: https://athol.librarycalendar.com/event/i-was-amelia-earharts-sister-meet-muriel-morrissey-2546 or by calling 978-249-9515. You will receive an email confirmation, and an email reminder of the event 24 hours before the program. Questions? Please call the library at 978-249-9515.