The Strange Case of Lady Liberty
A Tandem Tale
“The Strange Case of Lady Liberty” is a long-form historical exploration through storytelling of the little-known racial roots of the Statue of Liberty, presented in tandem by storytellers Barry Stewart Mann and Deborah Strahorn.
Little-Known History of a universally-known Icon
“Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, / The wretched refuse of your teeming shore . . .” In reading these words, what likely comes to mind is the majestic green-tinged copper statue in New York Harbor. For 139 years, this monument has provided a beacon of hope for immigrants coming from all over the world in search of a better life. But there’s another part of the story. The original inspiration for the monument was the abolition of slavery; in the initial design, the figure held a torch in her right hand and, in her left, not a tablet but a chain with broken shackles. The chain and shackles were later put beneath her feet, where their presence – and symbolism – are virtually unknown. In this piece, Barry and Deborah trace the meandering thread of decisions and events – some random, some quite questionable – that led to the Statue’s universally accepted meaning about immigration and new beginnings, that has nothing to do with slavery. They tell the story through historical narrative and dramatization, personal family journeys, culturally relevant folklore, accompanying graphics, and the use of primary sources – all with humor, curiosity, moments of audience engagement, and a few surprises along the way.
The Team
Barry Stewart Mann and Deborah Strahorn are Atlanta-based storytellers. Both are members of the National Storytelling Network, the Georgia Storytelling Network, and Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia. Together they have collaborated on two prior projects, “Storybooks for Strong Communities” (2021) and “Tales from the Urban Forest” (2022). Individually, each is a veteran teller and historical interpreter with decades of experience.
Bringing "Lady Liberty" to your institution or community
With several performances already booked for the first half of 2026, this piece, running 55 minutes to an hour, is suiable for universities, schools, community groups, historical associations, museums, and more. Given the focus on U.S., African-American, and Jewish-American History, "The Strange Case of Lady Liberty" can easily connect with Black History Month, Presidents' Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, and other holidays and commemorations. Due to the nature of the program, pricing and logistics are determined on a case-by-case basis. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any inquiries.