As the Digital Diaspora Family Reunion Roadshow travels from city to city, there have been many surprises as communities share memories, places and people. Last July, we visited the Bronx Museum of the Arts, where participants were invited to share their photographs and stories of growing up in the Bronx (see “DDFR Roadshow Highlights the Bronx!” for a recap). After the Roadshow, participant Lea Wolinetz watched the Bronx News 12 coverage of the event and discovers through another’s shared photographs that the participant, Trudy Erwin, was in fact her best friend from 50 years back!
Lea contacted Thomas Allen Harris with the exciting news hoping for assistance in setting up a reunion. Two months later, Lea and Trudy meet for the first time after 50 years!
Trudy Erwin (L.) meets Lea Wolinetz (R.) for the first time in 50 years!
In addition to Trudy’s reunion with Lea, Trudy befriends participant Andrea Ramsey during the show, who had also shared photographs and stories of Bronx memories. After continuing to exchange childhood photographs afterwards through email, they discover that their families were actually close friends! Here is an email Trudy had sent to Thomas at her moment of discovery:
Trudy Erwin’s sister, Leslie (L.) playing with Andrea Ramsey (R.) at Rockaway Beach. Photo Courtesy of Andrea Ramsey.
Trudy’s aunt Dorothy (in white) stands with Andrea’s mother and aunt in Rockaway Beach.
We have had a wonderful opportunity to help rekindle lost friendships through our Roadshow events, and we look forward to bringing more communities together for photo-sharing with Digital Diaspora Family Reunion!
To see more photos from the roadshow, visit our Flickr album.
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