Ethel Ray Nance’s story is being told, and by her granddaughter, Karen.

It’s chronicled in a new book called “Ethel Ray: Living in the White, Gray and Black.” Ethel Ray was the first African American/African Heritage stenographer to work for the Minnesota legislature. She also became the first African American/African Heritage female police officer on the Minneapolis police force.

She was a member of the Harlem Renaissance, and became the Secretary to W.E.B. DuBois, who founded the National NAACP.

Karen traveled to Duluth to release the book. She and other Nance family members spent time with students across the city.

Thursday, we stopped by Lincoln Park Middle School to chat with her.

“She lived such a rich life, that we decided for this book to cover from her birth to 1921. That’s the year she encouraged W.E.B. DuBois to come to Duluth, after the lynchings,” Karen shared. “This is just the first in a series of books. She was fearless, and a hard worker, and I’m so grateful to be able to share this.”

The book will be released on her birthday, which is Saturday. Come meet Karen and other family members at the Nordic Center at 1pm. 23 N Lake Avenue.

To buy the book: https://inblackink.org/store/