Victoria Casey McDonald, a local writer and historian, will present a program about African-Americans in Jackson County at the Jackson County Public Library at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

One of the featured individuals will be Ida Jean Bryson, the first Jackson County African American to serve in the Women’s Army Corps in World War II.

McDonald, an ordained minister, is a native of Cullowhee who obtained a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in education from Western Carolina University. She taught in the Jackson County School System for nearly 30 years.

McDonald authored a book featuring some of the African Americans of Jackson County. She writes poetry, and some of her poems have been published in anthologies. She is active in civic activities in the Jackson County area.

The African Americans in Jackson County program is part of the library’s community outreach series and is free to the public. Call the library at 828.586.2016 for more information.

This program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Main Library.