MARY ANN SHADD CARY’S HERSTORY IN THE COLORED CONVENTIONS

COLORED CONVENTIONS DELEGATE NETWORK

Mary Ann Shadd Cary serves as a central node connecting multiple communities, localities, and generations across the years of the Colored Conventions movement. While convention records generally erased Shadd Cary’s presence or proximity to the movement, her relationships with dozens of delegates (inside and out outside of the meetings) make it clear how deeply embedded she really was.[1] By mapping the many connections that emanate from Shadd Cary out to the many delegates that encompass her family, friends, and colleagues, we can see how the movement’s longevity and legacy depended on an expansive, multi-generational network of Black activists. Check out Sam de Vera’s visualization below of a delegate social network map with Mary Ann Shadd Cary at the center.