Oakwoodites of Oakwood University Connected to Hollywood Film, Free State of Jones
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Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on June 23, 2016 Members of the family of Anna Knight have various roles in the upcoming film, "Free State of Jones," starring Academy Award-winner Matthew McConaughey. The movie is inspired by the life of Newton Knight, a poor, defiant farmer from Mississippi, who led an armed rebellion against the Confederacy in Jones County, Mississippi, during the American Civil War. After the rebellion, Knight established a mixed-race community. His relationship with an African-American named Georgiana resulted in the birth of Anna Knight, who was the first Black female of any denomination to serve as a missionary to India. She was trained as a nurse at the Battle Creek Sanitarium. The film is scheduled to be released in the U.S. this weekend. Newton Knight's descendants, Dorothy Knight Marsh, Florence Knight Blaylock, and Olga Watts Nelson, are extras in the film, seated on the front row of the balcony in the courtroom scene. Anna Knight is well-known for her contributions to education, including her many years of service to Oakwood and the cause of education. Oakwood's Education Department is housed in Anna Knight Hall, and the Anna Knight Center for Women's Leadership opened on March 27, 2016 If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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