THEY CARRIED US

"Now more than ever, this is a must read, for not just women or people from Philadelphia, but for everyone. So many beautifully told and important stories, many of which have not gotten the publicity they so richly deserve. You will not only be educated and learn something new, but you will also feel and be moved by the powerful women featured in this book and their contributions to history and our society. Congrats to Allener and Fasaha on all of their hard work coming to life!"

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"My copy of They Carried Us has arrived and I can hardly

put it down! So substantial!!

So wonderful!!"

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"This book beams light and strength. Among the well-crafted portraits of Philadelphia's not-so-famous black women, I found inspiration and kindred spirits who shaped the arts and educational opportunities of many. I needed Baker-Rogers and Traylor as guides. This book is long overdue. I love the book and look forward to giving copies to friends who advocate for others, who give tough love, who are visionary, and who could use a dose of hope."

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"What a gift this book is! I love Philadelphia. I thought I knew it. But now Allener Baker-Rogers and Fasaha Traylor have peopled it with unforgettable women whom I did not know. Starting with Black Alice, driving and repairing a ferry that could never belong to her, and the words Allener and Fasaha make her say: “What folks in Philadelphia and this whole country thought they were doing to us they did to the country...  I wish I could tell you about each of the 95 women, their surprisingly long lives (for the most part) and their amazing achievements but, no, you must read the book, and thank these two Black women, Allener and Fasaha, who have created a narrative we did not have and inscribed their own names in that long tradition."

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"This heartfelt historical treatment of Philadelphia’s prominent Black women is long overdue yet not exhaustive even at over 600 pages. For a range of whatever reasons, readers will discover laudable women missing who they feel deserve mention and some chapters that are weightier than others. For instance, I was hoping to learn about more Black women leaders in Medicine and Community Health so that today’s young women can see what is doable in STEM and public health careers. Maybe this will inspire volume 2. Overall, this is an enlightening and compelling work that is a must read for anyone seeking an understanding of the trajectory of Philadelphia’s Black women leaders and their legacies from 1694 through now. This tribute will be appreciated well into the future."

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"This book is not meant to be read and put aside. It's the kind of work that both tells a story and provides and reference that will be useful to discerning readers over years. It does what history well-told does best provides context for our experiences, by helping us to locate ourselves in the continuum of what has come before. It is also a fascinating compilation of the struggles and triumphs of African American women in the city where America was born. Up to now, these women have been invisible and unseen, but no more. In this carefully researched volume, the lives and accomplishments of selected individuals - a few well known, but most not - are presented, creating a tapestry. You'll meet an array of women - beginning with "Black Alice" - who shared a commitment to build community and advance the goal of uplifting the lives of black people in Philadelphia and beyond."