The Woman Beside the Nation’s First Elected Black Lieutenant Governor: The Life and Legacy of Ellen Boyd Dunn

Thursday, January 7, 2027: 1:50 PM
Mardi Gras Ballroom E (New Orleans Marriott)
Brian Mitchell, writer and historian
Dr. Brian Mitchell’s paper explores the life and legacy of Ellen Boyd Dunn, widow of Lt. Governor Oscar James Dunn. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the daughter of a wealthy Black furniture manufacturer, Ellen Boyd Dunn offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Reconstruction-era intrigue and politics. Her life challenges long-held ideas about women’s involvement in the political arena and reveals the power and influence Black women wielded during the era.