West Chester Dance Works Rachel Harris One Woman Over the Line [Video]

WEST CHESTER, PA (WPVI) — West Chester Dance Works is presenting ‘Rachel Harris: One Woman Over the Line’ for two shows.

“The Rachel Harris story is a true story of a Black woman who lived in West Chester,” says Diane Matthews, Founder and Executive Director of West Chester Dance Works.

Harris escaped slavery in Maryland.

“She’s free, she’s thriving in a community. She actually has her own business,” says Matthews.

However, crossing the line didn’t protect her from the law.

“A slave owner could actually come to a free state, get that person, and take them back to slavery,” says Matthews.

Candace Matthews-Bass serves as the Artistic Director for West Chester Dance Works and will also be dancing in this production.

She says in the story, Mort Cunningham, the slave owner, is hoping to get Harris “right back to work.”

Mrs. Worthington, one of Harris’ customers, intervenes.

“Also happened to be a Quaker, so believed in abolitionist work,” says Matthews-Bass. “She actually helps to hide Rachel when …