Civil rights activist Joan Mulholland, son to present film Thursday, Friday

YOUNGSTOWN

To her son, Loki Mulholland, and his four siblings, Joan Mulholland was the person who prepared their meals, helped with their homework and meted out discipline, when necessary.

“To me, she’s just Mom,” the Lehi, Utah, man said about his mother, a retired elementary-school English teacher who lives in Arlington, Va.

But to many other people, she helped change the country. In other words, she embodies the ordinary person who did extraordinary things.

And the notion that everyday people can bring about positive changes is the underlying theme of “An Ordinary Hero: The True Story of Joan Trumpauer Mulholland,” a 2013 documentary her son produced.

The Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past organization invited Joan and Loki Mulholland to the area to show the film and talk to high-school and college students, as well as the general public, about her experiences as a civil-rights activist. They also will be discussing the damaging effects of racism and the importance of working toward eliminating it.

Thursday, the documentary will be shown at 9 a.m. at East High School; 1 p.m. at Chaney High; and 7 p.m. at the Tyler Historical Center, downtown Youngstown. Also, it will be shown at 9 a.m. Friday in Youngstown State University’s Chestnut Room. A discussion will follow each showing. All events are free.

Read the complete story in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.