In these challenging times, it is important for each of us to be given the opportunity to understand our role as a citizen. Our young citizens especially need to learn about those people in our country’s history who demonstrated that “one person can make a meaningful change in their community and beyond.”
In the book Pies from Nowhere we learn how Georgia Gilmore started the Club from Nowhere in order to provide food and funds for the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. (Check YouTube for a read-aloud of the book.) This story tells how one woman turned her expertise as a baker and cook into a mission to work with others to sell food and raise money for all those participating in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
After you have listened to Pies from Nowhere, think about how you might use your voice and
your plans of action to make a positive change in today’s challenging world! Now…think about the questions below:
1. The book Pies from Nowhere takes place during a period of history in which there was enforced separation of different racial groups. During this time, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. With the support from every-day heroes like Georgia Gilmore, the bus boycott kept going for the year it took for the segregation on buses to be considered unconstitutional. Boycotting is a peaceful way to protest. Can you think of other peaceful ways people can protest what might be happening or could happen in today’s challenging world?
2. Georgia Gilmore said, “You cannot be afraid if you want to accomplish anything.” Do you think Georgia Gilmore was afraid of what she thought about doing? Why or why not? What do you think she was afraid could happen? Have you ever wanted to do something but were afraid to do it? Be prepared to share.
3. In your world today, have you ever been in a situation where kids were separated by color? If so, how did that make you feel? What do you think you could do to have people stop separating others from their group because of their color?
4. Sticky Situation: The book describes a time when a bus driver mistreated Georgia. After she paid her fare, the bus driver insisted she get off the bus and re-enter from the back door. When she reached the back door, the driver took off before she could get on the bus. If you were on that bus and witnessed what happened, what do you think you would do or say and why?
5. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. frequently had meals at Georgia’s house. He knew he could trust her. He knew she was a change agent. Change agents who try to make the world a better place are found among everyday people as well as among leaders. Doing what she did best, Miss Gilmore, an expert baker, brought a group together to make and sell pies. All the money she raised went to support the goal of desegregating buses. After a year of working for change, Georgia Gilmore saw the Supreme Court rule that segregation on buses was unconstitutional. As an everyday citizen, each of us is able to be an agent of change. What problem would you choose to work towards to help having a positive and peaceful change?