Retired Massachusetts Superior Court Justice Dennis Curran is excited to continued his monthly "Great American Unsung Heroes Who Changed The Course Of History" series.

Learn about Elizabeth Freeman, a little-known national hero, and a symbol of courage and spirit to all who cherish freedom. She was among the first slaves in Massachusetts to sue for and win her freedom. During the Revolutionary War, Freeman heard the Massachusetts Constitution read aloud, and heard these words: “All men are born free and equal….” Freeman recognized the potential legal and moral significance of these words and sought out an attorney to sue for her freedom under the newly-ratified state constitution. With the help of an attorney who was an abolitionist, she pled her case for freedom in a western Massachusetts court. The jury ruled in her favor and she became the first African-American woman set free under the Massachusetts constitution. Her case helped end slavery in Massachusetts.

Dennis J. Curran served as a Massachusetts judge for 16 years, including in the Superior Court from 2006 to 2018. Prior to his time on the bench, Curran worked as an Assistant District Attorney and First Assistant Legal Counsel to the Governor, in addition to work in private practice. A graduate of Boston Latin School, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Virginia School of Law, Curran has taught law at Tufts University, Roger Williams University School of Law, and Brown University.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Tewksbury Library.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

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