West Hartford Library To Celebrate Storytelling Icon's Legacy

West Hartford Public Library

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Everyone has a story to tell and, perhaps, no one in West Hartford ever told a story like the late Gertrude Blanks.

Tuesday, June 13, the West Hartford Public Library is hosting a special celebration of the iconic storyteller's legacy at 6:30 p.m. at First Church West Hartford, 12 S. Main St.

The goal of the event is to "celebrate Gertrude Blanks’ contributions to the community by keeping storytelling alive."

The event is free. Registration is encouraged but not required.

As part of the event, local storytellers Andre Keitt, Mike Keo and Keren Prescott will share their stories of life-changing experiences.

Blanks, who died in 2019 at the age of 98, was known as "Mama Blanks" and worked at the Hartford Public Library for more than 20 years, hosting story time events.

She also was a regular at area schools, continuing the tradition of oral history to generations of children, many of whom have now grown up and raised families of their own.

According to event organizers, Blanks "made the telling of her stories come to life for many youngsters and adults in the West Hartford and greater Hartford communities through this rich oral tradition."

Blanks' image is depicted on the wall of the West Hartford Public Library with the town's other two prominent Black women "firsts" — former West Hartford Town Councilperson Judy Casperson and State Rep. Tammy Exum, D-West Hartford.

“We are looking forward to hosting this second annual program to honor Gertrude and celebrate the art of storytelling with three captivating performers,” West Hartford Library Director Laura Irmscher said.

This program is generously supported by the Thomas F. Kilfoil Memorial Bequest, West Hartford Library Foundation.

To register for this program, visit this link.

For more information on Gertrude Blanks, click on this link.

For Gertrude Blanks' 2019 obituary, click on this link.