In February, The Ames Library is hosting the Legacy Wall, an interactive Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) history exhibit. The Legacy Wall will be on display on the entry level of the library, and can be visited during normal library hours.
The Legacy Wall features the stories of LGBT people from all walks of life throughout history who have contributed in more than 20 distinct fields. This exhibit tells the stories behind such figures as social justice pioneer Jane Addams, civil rights organize Bayard Rustin, British mathematician Alan Turing, US Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, astronaut Sally Ride, iconic artist Michelangelo and Fr. Mychal Judge – the “Saint of 9/11.” In total, there are more than 100 featured excerpts. The Wall is based on the outdoor exhibit, the Legacy Walk, on North Halsted in Chicago.
Supporting Resources
In addition to hosting the Legacy Wall, several exhibit cases will feature registered student organizations and their history at IWU. The IWU Pride Alliance is a student-run organization dedicated to equality for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. They help to ensure the safety of and equality for all in the community. The Alliance was reactivated in 2003. Check out the display “Celebrate Diversity – IWU Pride: Then and Now” on the west side of the entry level.
In the display case across from the Library Services Desk, you’ll find the African Students Association (ASA), Black Student Union (BSU), Spanish and Latino Student Association (SALSA), and South Asian Student Association (SASA) featured in “Celebrate Diversity – ASA, BSU, SALSA, and SASA: Then and Now.” You can also learn about the first black and international students to attend Illinois Wesleyan.
ASA educates the campus about the various countries in Africa and their cultures. Our goal is to share appreciation for the traditions, religions, customs, food, dance, and music from various African countries.
Black Student Union is an organization that is here to teach IWU students about the black culture and to have a place for minority 
students to feel unified.
SALSA’s mission is yo promote culture, heritage, and diversity for students of Illinois Wesleyan University and to spread and celebrate Latin American Heritage and pride, as well as the enhancement of Latino presence on campus and community service.
South Asian Student Association (SASA) is a group on campus designed to immerse oneself into the South Asian culture on the IWU campus. Regardless of cultural background or exposure, this group is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the different holidays, traditions, and cultural differences within the South Asian community.
Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited IWU twice in the 1960s? While you’re walking around looking at the various exhibits, check out our case behind the JWP Rotunda where you can see flyers, circulars, a signed program, and photos from his two visits.
Finally, to promote awareness and to celebrate diversity, members of the IWU community and telling you to READ some of their favorite authors. Talk a walk around the entirety of the entry level and see how many faces, authors, and books you recognize. Scan the QR codes and go straight to the catalog entry where you can request a copy of any of the books shown.
See those books on display? You can check any of them out!
