A Visit from Phillis Wheatley

July 07, 2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm

As a part of our America 250 observation, LWB will welcome Founding Mother Phillis Wheatley, who has been called “the poet laureate of the American Revolution.” An enslaved person, she was also the first published African American poet and writer. After she dedicated a poem to George Washington, the general was impressed enough to visit her in Boston. Phillis died at 31 in poverty in a boarding house with little heat. The world would be less beautiful, less inspired, without Phillis Wheatley. Dr. Daisy Century, also a published author, portrays this talented poet with respect and flair (www.daisycentury.com).

Presenter Bio: Dr. Daisy Century recalls the thrill of receiving a standing ovation for her 3rd grade recitation of The Creation and credits this as the beginning of her desire to perform. Trained as a teacher, Dr. Century earned a BA in Biology at Claflin University, a Master’s in Science Education from South Carolina State University and a Ed.D. from Temple University, also in Science Education. This naturally talented teacher and actor couples scientific methods with creative imagination in order to discover how the historical characters she interprets would respond to a given situation. An inspiring educator whose students have returned year after year to thank Dr. Century for the difference she has made in their lives, Daisy has continued to inspire through her thoroughly-researched, dramatically intense portrayals. Dr. Century is a published author, writing under the name Emily Nelson, and is an accomplished singer.

Since then, Daisy has appeared in venues that include the National Defense Organization, Belmont Mansion, National Archives, Sojourner Truth House, Theodore Roosevelt National Historic Site, the Helicopter Museum, and numerous schools, libraries, museums and historic sites throughout the United States.