Celebrating Black History Month with Gigi Jasper

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr. Gigi Jasper is a retired English teacher living in Rock Springs, Wyoming.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode, you'll hear about why Gigi moved to Wyoming, her career as a public school teacher, and her experience with discrimination as an African American woman living in rural Wyoming.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Her inspiration, guidance, and resilience as she taught and mentored young people throughout her teaching career, and through that inspiration, she helped young people find tools and paths for their own lives.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And I was told by whoever it was, "We don't hire women." And he was saying that while there was a woman worker not 25 feet behind him.  Well, it was pretty clear that my being female was not his objection. And so, in some ways my welcome to Wyoming was having to file with the EEOC.”</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Gigi Jasper</span></p> <p><strong>Black History Month</strong> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Watch <a href= "https://watch.historyvault.com/topics/black-history">Black History Documentaries</a></span></p> <p><a href= "https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/black-history-month-2023"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">National Museum of African American History and Culture</span></a></p> <p><a href= "https://music.si.edu/story/musical-crossroads#:~:text=Roots%20in%20Afric