FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 16, 2009
CONTACT:
Meg Fullwood
214-740-9377
mfullwood@kera.org
KERA’s TEXAS TRAILBLAZER SERIES HONORS THOSE
WHO ADVANCED CIVIL RIGHTS AND PURSUIT OF JUSTICE
DALLAS/FORT WORTH - KERA-TV’s Texas Trailblazer series profiles the lives and careers of Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders, attorney Louise Raggio and journalist Vivian Castleberry, individuals whose dedication to civil rights and pursuit of justice brought change to Texas and the nation. The three-part Texas Trailblazer series airs Sundays, May 3, 10 and 18 at 8:00 p.m. with rebroadcasts the following Sundays at 12:30 p.m. All three programs will rebroadcast consecutively beginning at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 24 on KERA-TV and be available online at kera.org/trailblazer after the broadcast.
Texas Trailblazer Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders
With a career in public service that spanned a half century, Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders is remembered for his role in the desegregation of Dallas public schools and for the indelible mark he left on the entire country. As Assistant Deputy Attorney General in the Justice Department under President Lyndon Johnson, Sanders guided passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that ended a history of discriminatory voting practices. The documentary examines his career as a state lawmaker, member of the Johnson administration and 27 years as a federal judge. Texas Trailblazer Barefoot Sanders airs at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, May 3, 2009 on KERA-TV. The broadcast marks the eve of the thirtieth anniversary of his investiture as a federal judge. He was sworn into office on May 4, 1979.
Texas Trailblazer Louise Raggio
In the 1950s, married women in most states needed their husband’s permission for legal and business transactions. They couldn’t open their own bank accounts, sign contracts or control their own paychecks. Texas Trailblazer Louise Raggio tells the story of the Texas attorney who changed all that. Raggio went to law school to support her family after her husband returned from WWII emotionally shattered. She made history by leading the effort to draft and secure passage of the Marital Property Act of 1967 and became an icon in the struggle for women’s rights. Texas Trailblazer Louise Raggio airs at 8:00 p.m. May 10, 2009 on KERA-TV. The program debuted in March 2008.
Texas Trailblazer Vivian Castleberry
Vivian Castleberry became the first female editor of the Dallas Times Herald in 1957. She transformed the content of the paper’s Living section from coverage of high society and weddings to include stories of social significance including child abuse, depression and women’s rights. Castleberry retired from the Dallas Times Herald after 28 years to pursue a second career as a peace activist. She co-founded the Women’s Center of Dallas and The Dallas Women’s Foundation, and founded Peacemakers Incorporated. She was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984. Texas Trailblazer Vivian Castleberry airs at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, May 17, 2009 on KERA-TV.
Texas Trailblazers is funded by the international law firm Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Attorneys at Law and the members of KERA.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM
KERA’s Therese Powell served as producer of the Barefoot Sanders documentary. Sujata Dand was producer/editor of the Louise Raggio program and co-producer of the Vivian Castleberry story with Emmy Award-winning director/producer/editor Ginny Martin. Rick Thompson is executive producer of the Texas Trailblazer series. Sylvia Komatsu is executive in charge. Additional production work was provided by Bob Perrenot, art director, Tom Pribyl, graphic designer and Mary Beth Boehm, on-line editor.
ABOUT KERA
KERA is a not-for-profit public broadcasting organization that serves the people of North Texas. The station broadcasts to the 5th largest market in the United States. KERA produces original multimedia content, carries the best in national and international public television and radio programs, and provides online resources at www.kera.org. The station’s extensive coverage of the arts can be found at www.artandseek.org. KERA also promotes children’s education through television programs and resources for families and teachers. KERA-TV broadcasts on channel 13. KERA-FM broadcasts on 90.1 in Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton, 88.3 in Wichita Falls, 100.1 in Tyler and 99.3 in Sherman.
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