Whitney Plantation

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we are proud to celebrate Rep. Sylvia Taylor. ??Born at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Sylvia Taylor grew up with strong family values and a dedication to hard work. She graduated with honors from Fifth Ward High School and earned a scholarship to Dillard University, where she decided to pursue law. From New Orleans to Washington, D.C., Sylvia Taylor has spent her career fighting for justice. As a dedicated advocate, mediator, and Workers’ Compensation Judge, she’s made a lasting impact on Louisiana’s legal landscape. Her passion for justice continues as she serves as State Representative in Louisiana’s 57th district and runs her private practice in LaPlace, Taylor & McDowell Law .

“I stand on the shoulders of the strong women who came before me and raised me.” This #WomensHistoryMonth, we are proud to celebrate Whitney Plantation Board Member Cheri Ausberry. Inspired by her mother, Sybil Morial, and her advocacy work, Cheri believes it’s her mission to continue the important work of preserving our rich history and legacy to be passed on to future generations. At a time when history is being challenged, she reminds us how important it is to educate and advocate through places like Whitney Plantation. “The visitors—both national and international—who walk the grounds of the Whitney leave with a different perspective, learning firsthand about the hardships and struggles caused by the sins of slavery. We overcame, and it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that we continue to overcome and share this story with the world.” Thank you for your dedication, Cheri!

We're honored to share that Whitney Plantation has received a $15,000 grant from Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities to support our general operations. This grant helps us keep telling the stories that matter—stories of the enslaved people who lived and labored here, and the legacies they left behind. “We are grateful to the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities for recognizing the value of our mission and the urgency of preserving and interpreting this history,” said Ashley Rogers, executive director of Whitney Plantation. “Support from the Louisiana Culture Care Fund helps ensure that Whitney remains open to the public and responsive to the needs of our community.” Funding for the 2025 Louisiana Culture Care Fund Grant has been provided by the State of Louisiana and administered by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Thank you, LEH, for believing in our work. #WhitneyPlantation #LouisianaHistory #BlackHistory #HistoricPreservation #LEHGrant #CultureCare

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate Dr. Joy and Jo Banner, sisters, activists, and co-founders of The Descendants Project. The Banner sisters are dedicated to preserving and reclaiming the narratives of enslaved people, tracing their lineage back to Whitney Plantation, where Dr. Joy once served as Communications Director. Founded in 2020, The Descendants Project, partnered with Whitney Plantation, is committed to the intergenerational healing and flourishing of the Black descendant community in Louisiana’s river parishes. They also made history by becoming the first Black owners of Woodland Plantation in its 231 years. A force to be reckoned with, the Banner sisters are committed to preserving legacy and will be sure to leave their own. ??

??COMING SOON: Watch Our Story on CBS News?? Yesterday, we spoke with CBS News Reporter Kati Weis, MLS about the National Park Service’s recent decision to drop the Louisiana landmark bid, a move that raises serious concerns about preservation, politics, and the future of Whitney Plantation. ?? Why does this matter? This decision strips a crucial layer of protection from one of the most significant sites of Black history in America. Without landmark status, Whitney Plantation and the historic community of Wallace are increasingly vulnerable to industrial encroachment. Executive Director Dr. Ashley Rogers spoke with CBS to share why this fight matters, not just for Whitney, but for the local community and the preservation of Black history in America. Be on the lookout for the full story on CBS News Plus & CBS online—coming soon! #WhitneyPlantation #ProtectBlackHistory #HistoricPreservation #TruthTelling #CBSNews

?? We’re all rooted in the land. Eternal Seeds invests in the soil so that more flowers can grow, supporting young artists and creatives in New Orleans. Whitney Plantation preserves the land and stories of our ancestors, honoring their legacies and contributions to Louisiana culture. Thank you BMike and Eternal Seeds for choosing to visit Whitney Plantation to explore our collective roots. ?? Repost from @bmike2c (IG) CRT adult field trips… Ancestors Dreams Delegation year 7, an idea that keeps growing - @eternalseeds - we’re grateful to do this work. @knownolatours @whitneyplantation @studio_be_ #ancestorsdreamsdelegation #AncestorsDreams (?? @tauriacphoto)

Sybil Haydel Morial was a civil rights leader, educator, and descendant of Whitney Plantation. In 1961, when she was denied membership in the League of Women Voters because of her race, she founded the Louisiana League of Good Government to help Black people learn their rights and overcome racist voting barriers. She also played a key role in the political rise of her husband, Ernest "Dutch" Morial, who became the first Black mayor of New Orleans. Her great-grandfather, Victor Haydel, was born into enslavement at Whitney Plantation. Sybil always knew she had ancestors who were enslaved, but at 50 years old, she traced her family’s roots all the way back to Senegal. There, she embraced the Wolof saying: “Xam sa bopp mo g?n ?u la koy wax” “You better know yourself; don’t allow others to define you.” She lived by those words, remaining a steadfast supporter of Whitney Plantation and a tireless advocate for truth and justice. Her son, Marc Morial, continues her work today with the National Urban League, ensuring her legacy lives on. #WomensHistoryMonth ID: 1. Sybil Haydel Morial gazes at a statue in the Big House at Whitney Plantation. 2. Morial Family, From left: Jacques, Mayor Ernest N. Morial, Monique, Marc, Mrs. Sybil Morial, Julie, Cherie. Courtesy of New Orleans Public Library 3. Lindy Boggs, Sybil Morial and Wilma Bernard at the LLOGG annual membership banquet, May 11, 1965. Courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection

?? NOW is the time to speak up for museums and save IMLS! Congressional offices are open, and it’s time to flood their phone lines and inboxes. Contact your elected officials right now using our templates as a guide: congressweb.com/aam/95/ ?? Call your elected officials using our draft script. Members of Congress are home this week—call their federal AND district offices. ?? Send emails to your elected officials using our template form. It is imperative that you personalize these with your stories! Share this information with your colleagues, board, and museum’s supporters. This is the time to come together and stand up for the entire museum field. Step by step guide and all links here: https://lnkd.in/gX8-jmw9

When Whitney Plantation opened in 2014, it was the only museum in Louisiana dedicated to telling the story of slavery. Today, as attacks on historical truth escalate, our mission has never been more urgent. Whitney Plantation Executive Director Ashley Rogers sat down with our communications director, Amy Marquis, who writes for Nonprofit Quarterly : ??? “Museums went harder under Trump’s first term, saying, ‘No, we’re telling inclusive narratives. This is the work.’ Now it’s like people are being forced not to talk about them.” With new DEI initiative rollbacks and federal grant cancellations threatening our work, we intend to remain steadfast. History cannot be erased. Will you stand with us? ?? Read the full story: https://loom.ly/CP0HBAY ?? Plan your visit or donate today at whitneyplantation.org

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy, a poet, folklorist, and educator keeping Black Creole culture and New Orleans history alive! ?? HER BOOKS: ?? Black Creole Chronicles Whitney Plantation’s March Book of the Month & One Book One New Orleans 2024! Saloy’s latest collection honors Black Creole identity, history, and contemporary life, from hurricanes to #BlackLivesMatter. ?? Red Beans & Ricely Yours Winner of the T.S. Eliot Prize! This book shares poems about everyday magic in Black New Orleans, including the banned poem "The N Word." ?? Second Line Home A tribute to Black Creole traditions and a celebration of joy, struggle, and the enduring spirit of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. As Louisiana’s 2021-2023 Poet Laureate and 2024 Louisianian of the Year, Dr. Saloy is keeping the stories and traditions of her community alive. Find her books at the Whitney Plantation Gift Shop: https://loom.ly/YKcILBQ #Poetry