"Aunt Betty's Story, the Narrative of a Slave Woman"
Celebrating with the Descendants of Bethany Veney
A video series of her narrative, read by her descendants and the descendants of her husbands, Jerry Fickland and Frank Veney.
Too often we read narratives of the enslaved and the stories remain distant - not connected to us. We wanted you to be able to hear the words of Bethany Veney read by her descendants. Benetta Kuffour, Carol Pearson, Jewell Pearson, Tiffany Pearson and Yanyiyah Pathfinder Pearson are direct descendants of Bethany. We were also fortunate to have been able to connect with several descendants of Bethany's husbands Jerry Fickland and Frank Veney. We are appreciative of their support and participation as readers and singers.
Video 1: Celebrating with the Descendants of Bethany Veney
Video 2: Celebrating with the Descendants of Bethany Veney
Video 3: Celebrating with the Descendants of Bethany Veney
Video 4: Celebrating with the Descendants of Bethany Veney
We want to thank our readers - the direct descendants of Bethany Veney - Carol Pearson, Benetta Kuffour, Jewell Pearson and Tiffany Pearson for traveling to Luray to help make this project possible. Special thanks to our readers who are the descendants of Bethany's husbands, Jerry Fickland and Frank Veney - Aaliyah Davis, Sonja Bailey, Kathy Veney, Wendy Veney, Audrey Tutt Smith, Phoebe Schlager, Grace King, and Del Price for bringing life to this historic project. We also want to thank the choirs of Bethel Baptist Church in Luray, VA and Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Front Royal, VA. Special thanks to Rev. Harold Brown, Sr. for singing for our program and video.
This video series is funded through the generous grants provided by VA Humanities and the Jerome L Greene Foundation as recommended by Karen Brooks Hopkins in memory of Sister Judy Brown.
"Making Aunt Betty's Story"
In October of 2022, four direct descendants of Bethany Veney traveled to Luray, Virginia to participate in the videotaping and public program about "Aunt Betty's Story".
Below is the link to Dr. Blair's powerpoint and slides for the Bethany Veney's letters program.