By Sabina Clarke
This is a story I am telling for the first time --a personal experience that reflects on a smaller scale the discrimination the Irish have suffered since their arrival on our shores—the subject of books like Enter The Irish American by Edward Wakin and Irish on the Inside by Tom Hayden.
Yet, the fact that this may exist in 20th century cultural institutions whose mission is to serve all people and all ethnicities is less well known and often hidden in plain sight.
In 1994, I experienced this bias first hand in an oblique but obvious manner when I turned in a detailed proposal to the Marketing Director of The Free Library of Philadelphia for an exhibition titled ‘Farewell Dear Erin, The Irish in America’ commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Famine, ‘An Gorta Mor.’
Harry Gamble, Philadelphia Eagles General Manager and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams in 1995 at Free Library Reception
The proposal was rejected outright. I was told in a polite way that “perhaps the exhibition could happen at another time”—which was no consolation and seemed more like a platitude especially since an anniversary date is time sensitive and not something that can be arbitrarily changed. The landmark 150th anniversary could not be commemorated in 1996-- it had to be in 1995.
So I moved on from seeing The Free Library as a welcoming venue for an Irish exhibition and casually mentioned my proposal to my friend John Sweeney, the Irish American Commissioner appointed by Governor Casey. I told him what happened and suggested that perhaps an exhibition would be welcome at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Then I handed my proposal over to him at his request.
John Sweeney then proceeded to take what I had written and make a few changes so that it would not appear as if this were coming from me—and mailed it to the late Elliot Shelkrot the Director of the Free Library requesting a meeting. It was only after John Sweeney sent his letter the third time by registered mail that his request for a meeting was answered.
During the meeting when it was made clear by Commissioner John Sweeney that “This institution is run on city, state, and federal funds”-- then magically, the exhibit was given the green light to proceed.
Of course rather quickly I was seen as the instigator behind the plot to get the exhibition approved—which was accurate. So, I was cut out of meetings. The next reprimand was the short notice I was given to pull it all together—a little more three weeks lead time. That did not bother me since meetings by committee are often a waste of time. I knew what I needed to do.
The stars were aligned and the evening was a dazzling success with Timoney step-dancers, ceili musicians and most memorable now years later-- is
the visual impact and haunting sounds of Joe Tobin and his bagpipers in full regalia on the front steps of The Free Library greeting guests as they arrived -- their music wafting across the Parkway on that balmy May evening.
I was fortunate to find sponsors on short notice including Guinness Beer, Shane’s Candy and New Deck Tavern while restaurateur Mickey Cavanaugh outdid himself with a glorious sumptuous buffet.
The arrival of Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams accompanied by his close friend Paul Doris the National President of NORAID ( Irish Northern Aid) was a highlight of the evening adding high drama and creating quite a buzz.
Josie Clark the wife of the Philadelphia author and Irish historian Dennis Clark was presented with a proclamation from City Hall honoring her late husband whose powerful words about the Famine were quoted on the invitation to the event: “The dimensions of the calamity can hardly be delineated by simple statistics……it was as close to genocide as colonialism would come in the 19th century.”
Originally scheduled to open in March 1995 the exhibition was delayed and held in May 1995 because The Free Library’s hired Curator was out of her element and delighted to pass the torch to Professor Jack McCormack who was well-versed in Irish history.
A few weeks later Jack sent me a note closing with “Up the Republic.”
Reporter’s Note: Later, I learned that there had never been an Irish themed exhibition at The Free Library of Philadelphia until May 1995. So this was another
glass ceiling shattered
