In Nunemaker Hall on Jan. 29, Ain’t I a woman? was the popular question of the evening.

Students, professors and staff filled Monroe Thursday to see “Ain’t I a Woman,” the one-woman play that was free to members of the Loyola community.

Loyola University Community Action Program, the Twomey Center, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Center for Intercultural Understanding collectively put together the production.

Dr. Karen Reichard, director of the Women’s Resource Center said that the show was intended “to address women’s issues in context to Black History Month and to give a historical perspective on African American women’s lives and struggles.”

“Ain’t I A Woman,” produced by Michael Parola and written by Kim Hines, celebrates four African American women who transform society.

The voice of Shinnerrie Jackson  boomed as she played not one but four influential African American women. Jackson has a master’s degree of fine arts in acting from the University of Tennessee. 

The core ensemble Katie Schlaikjer on cello, Byron Sean on piano and Michael Parola  on percussion, accompanied Jackson’s performance.

The play opened with smooth finger-snapping jazz followed by Jackson’s portrayal of author Zora Neale Hurston. Jackson later took on the role of painter Clementine Hunter, political activist Fannie Lou Hamer, and activist and former slave Sojourner Truth. Each new act transitioned seamlessly.

The majority of the students who attended the event seemed to enjoy the play.   

“It was a great show, the actress was great, music was good and it was well put together with good transitions,” said Victor Harewood, music industry freshman.

Some students attended the show as a class requirement.

“I had to come to the show for Dr. Alcazar’s class, but I was interested in it, and I really did enjoy it,” said Tiffany Dumas, marketing sophomore.

A small reception outside Nunemaker hall was held after Jackson’s performance in which students could ask questions and converse with Jackson and the core ensemble, where Jackson expressed the importance in celebrating these four freedom fighters.

“These women are the reason we can vote. If it weren’t for people like Fannie Lou Hamer or Sojourner Truth, we would have no Obama,” she said.

Angie Hernandez can be reached at  [email protected].