"Cousins" event draws large crowd

Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby

It was a full house at the Barn at Lord Fairfax Community College last Monday night, March 21st, as approximately 90 people gathered for an evening with author-activists Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby. Connected through slavery, the two women, one Black, one White, shared their story of discovering their past—and each other. It was an amazing testimony.

Fauquier NAACP’s 1st VP Renard Carlos was m.c. for the event. Branch president Ellsworth Weaver gave the welcome and made opening remarks. The benediction was given by Religious Affairs co-chair Dr. Ethel Canty Bothuel.

After their presentation, which included a thought-provoking Q&A session, Betty and Phoebe remained to sign copies of their new book, “Cousins.” People socialized and had spirited discussions.

While Betty and Phoebe signed books, Mary Shapiro and Jeff Wolf of Stillwaters Studios provided musical entertainment. Dr. Weaver joined them on keyboard, and Taryn Weaver and others joined in singing.

The event was livestreamed on Fauquier NAACP’s Facebook page; a video recording is available for viewing there.

All proceeds from sales of “Cousins” are donated to the Kilby Family Endowed Scholarship fund, which was established by Phoebe and Betty to benefit descendants of persons enslaved in Culpeper, Rappahannock and Madison counties prior to the end of the Civil War.

Follow the links below for information on how to obtain books and to learn more about Betty and Phoebe’s efforts.

To order the book Cousins :

Walnut Street Books

Lancaster, PA

https://walnutstreetbooks.com/titles/cousins/

The Open Book

104 Main St. Warrenton VA USA, 20186

Phone : 540-878-5358 Email: oldtownopenbook@gmail.com Web: oldtownopenbook.com

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Cousins-Connected-through-discover-past_and/dp/1947597426/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Z3KUX4QXHODA&keywords=cousins+connected+through+slavery&qid=1648672358&s=books&sprefix=Cousins%2Cstripbooks%2C64&sr=1-1

To contact Phoebe or Betty, or request a presentation: https://walnutstreetbooks.com/titles/cousins/

To contact Betty, order Betty's book Wit, Will & Walls: https://bettykilby.com/

Information on the Kilby Family Endowed Scholarship Fund: https://www.poisefoundation.org/kilby-family-endowed-scholarship-fund

Coming to the Table website: https://comingtothetable.org/

Coming to the Table Reparations Guide: https://comingtothetable.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/CTTT-Reparations-Guide-July-2021.pdf

How to find a Coming to the Table local group near you or start a group: https://comingtothetable.org/local-groups/

Resources for Exploring Genealogy:*

- Our Black Ancestry: https://ourblackancestry.com/

- Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society: https://www.aahgs.org/

- Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/

*Fauquier NAACP would add to this list the Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County: https://www.aahafauquier.org, which provides a treasure trove of information for people with ties to Fauquier County.

Netflix Documentary: “Stories of a Generation with Pope Francis.” Betty is featured in episode 2. https://www.netflix.com/title/81306329

(From left:) Ellsworth Weaver, Betty Kilby Baldwin, Phoebe Kilby, and Renard Carlos pose for the camera prior to the event. PHOTO CREDIT: Leland Schwartz

PHOTO CREDIT: Jasmine Morton

PHOTO CREDIT: Jasmine Morton

(From left:) Ellsworth Weaver, Mary Shapiro, Jeff Wolf. PHOTO CREDIT: Jasmine Morton