Darlene Clark Hine is a renowned historian. Her book
A Shining Thread of Hope was one of the first comprehensive surveys of African American women's history.
And
Shining Thread is where I first learned about Mary Bowser. So without Darlene--there would be no novel!
I am incredibly flattered that she came to hear me speak at the
Pritzker Military Library, and incredibly proud to have earned her compliments on
The Secrets of Mary Bowser.
I read a scene that she said made her cry. Then that made me cry. We were a couple of faklempt scholars of African American studies, yes indeed we were.