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Life of a Laundress

Historic Interpreter and storyteller Tammy Gibson demonstrates and discusses the role of the laundress during the antebellum era - an inspiring store of work ethics and generosity.

Tammy Gibson is an accomplished entrepreneur, storyteller and travel historian. Her mission is to raise awareness, impact youth and preserve pride in African American culture through her personal journey. Tammy’s increasing interest in African American history has led her to travel extensively to explore Africa and several cities throughout the United States to gather information about the hidden treasures of African Americans that are erased from history books. Journaling the path of her ancestors, Tammy has visited several national parks, historical landmarks, museums, markers, cemeteries, slave plantations, findings of the Underground Railroad, sleeping in slave cabins to honor the enslaved, and meeting historical leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and descendants of the enslaved. Her ability to share valuable historical knowledge as a living historian through her presentations and replicas of artifacts is a reminder of the history of slavery in America, and her teachings of slavery have inspired the youth to learn and understand the importance of African American history and the men, women and children who were enslaved.

​Tammy earned her B.A. in African American Studies from Chicago State University. Tammy is a contributing writer for the Chicago Defender and her book "Honoring the Legacy: A Guide of African-American Monuments and Statues was the winner of the 2021 Independent Author Network Book of the Year for Outstanding Non-Fiction Travel/Nature.

Contact the Ask Us Desk at askus@dglibrary.org or call (630) 960-1200 with questions.

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