Civil rights book signing held in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A new book honoring civil rights leaders was introduced Sunday during the Western Massachusetts observance of Black History Month.

The book is called “Icons of the Civil Rights Movement”. Its authors signed copies of their book Sunday at Trinity Methodist Church in Springfield. The Reverend David Purdy compiled the civil rights salute from the work of his artist wife, Pamela Chatterton-Purdy.

Pamela told 22News, “David and I got involved in the Civil Rights Movement, later on we adopted two African American sons; we already had two biological daughters. We learned first hand what racism was. In 2004 we took a sojourn to the south and visited all the places of the Civil Rights Movement and it was at that time I had to do something to make sure these incredible people were never forgotten.”

Reverend Purdy told 22News his book, “Icons of the Civil Rights Movement”, was the direct result of his wife's artwork honoring civil rights leaders.