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SHELLY KEHRLE-SULSER
Executive Editor
A former Lakeview then Battle
Creek Public Schools teacher who
is best known for her many portray-
als of famous abolitionist Sojourner
Truth, Donna Turner-Rickman, was
recognized with a State History
Award on Sept. 27 in St. Joseph.
Hers was one of 17 awards given
that night by the Historical Society
of Michigan (HSM) at the 150th
Annual Meeting and Michigan
History Conference.
The Society presents the State
History Awards every year to indi-
viduals and organizations that have
made outstanding contributions to
the appreciation, collection, preser-
vation and/or promotion of state and
local history, according to a press
release.
“The awards are the highest recog-
nition presented by HSM, the state’s
official historical society and oldest
cultural organization,” according to
the press release.
Turner-Rickman, who lives in
Olivet, was awarded in the categoryIn all, 17 Historical Society of Michigan Awards were bestowed last Month.
(Photo provided)Retired Battle Creek teacher wins 2024 State History Award
Donna Turner-Rickman (also known
as Donna Collier-Rickman) received
the Education: Educator award from
the Historical Society of Michigan
last month in St. Joseph. (Photo provided)Education: Educator.
She volunteers as an educator withthe Battle Creek Regional History
Museum and continues to serve as
a re-enactor, curriculum writer, pro-
gram producer and lecturer.
According to a nomination for
the award submitted by Michael
Delaware, Turner-Rickman is a
prominent scholar on the history of
Sojourner Truth, the famed abolition-
ist and leader in temperance, civil
rights and women’s rights move-
ments.
“She has earned wide acclaim for
her presentation, ‘Sojourner Truth’s
Life, History and Works’ and her re-
enactment of the lives of Battle Creek
women Julia Milner, Mattie Willis
and Merze Tate,” in her Phenomenal
Women presentation, according to the
press release. “She presents history
that is both accurate and entertaining,
bringing the past to life for thousands
of program attendees in the Battle
Creek area.”
Turner-Rickman won the award out
of nearly 60 nominations in all cat-
egories.
“I was so surprised that I won
the award,” she said. “I would just
like to give my thanks to Michael
Delaware, The Regional History
Museum and fellow program histori-
ans and program cast members who
wrote letters of recommendation on
my behalf for this most honorable
reward.”
Turner-Rickman said she has been
a student of Sojourner Truth and
her life in Michigan for the past 25
years, since she moved to Michiganand joined the National Association
of Negro Business and Professional
Women’s Club (NANBPW).
It was back then that Bertha
Cheatham suggested she portray
Sojourner Truth at the NANBPW
annual banquet.
“Growing up in Hannibal, Missouri,
outside Dr. King, we didn’t talk about
people of color,”she said. “It wasn’t
a thing in my school so that was my
first venture” with the help of the
late Mary Butler (former Historical
Society of Battle Creek archivist).
Turner-Rickman said education has
been her life’s work.
“I give credit to the National
Association of Negro Business and
Professional Women’s Club locally in
Battle Creek,” said Turner-Rickman.
“While a member, to the best of my
ability, I spoke her truth to others,
performed through The Historical
Society at various community ven-
ues and celebrations including the
unveiling services of her maquette
and the like. I have spanned over 25
years researching and speaking about
Sojourner Truth and her accomplish-
ments in American history and her
life in Michigan.
“I would just like to give my thanks
to Michael Delaware, The Regional
History Museum and fellow program
historians and program cast members
who wrote letters of recommendation
on my behalf for this most honorable
reward (inclusive of The Historical
Society of Battle Creek).”