CCGA’s Education Committee has produced a series of short films inviting Chicagoans to be rooted, literally and physically in their communities, through hearing the stories of our elders – in their own voices. Legacy gardeners are the heart of what our gardens are. Learning and recording the personal histories of our senior garden leaders deepens our respect and appreciation for them and allows their wisdom to inspire even more people.
Our first two films captured a tapestry of wisdom and rich history that inspires us still in our own community gardens and in our lives. The films highlighting Erma Purnell and Doretha Penn were globally premiered during our 8th Annual Virtual Conference March 20, 2021.
The most recent film featuring Juline McClinton was premiered in a joyful and celebratory event in the historic Jensen Room of Garfield Park Conservatory on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Families, friends, fellow community gardeners, and others drawn from block clubs and community organizations from Garfield Park, North Lawndale and Austin gathered to watch all three short films on a big screen. Attendees could meet our living treasures in person, to greet and honor these amazing women. To become a legacy gardener as Erma, Doretha and Juline have done, is to nourish and guide people in our communities by preparing them for seasons beyond what we sow now.
Following the screenings, we heard from those who have known our legacy gardeners for many years in a panel, “How They Kept It Going.” Dr. Shemuel Israel, Gina Jamison, and Cynthia Weaver, all community gardeners, and a youth representative, Jayveon Edmonds from Urban Roots of the GPCA Youth Advisory council, each responded to questions from our Moderator, Onxy Ongobor, Exhibit Specialist at GPCA.Their conversations mirrored many of the most resonant phrases spoken in the films, and their answers brought warm applause from the audience. Among questions and answers that rang most true, each was asked how they felt represented, or seen, in the lives of the legacy gardeners, and their answers revealed just how connected our lives are.
In 2024, our goal is to learn about and record the personal histories of more of our senior garden leaders. Learn more and support the Legacy Gardener Film Project here.
We’re pleased to share these films with you, which are linked below!