By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution to recognize February 16, 2023, as “National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day.”
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan introduced the resolution to honor the civil rights leader on the day Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 was signed, almost 20 years before the passage of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Sullivan said Peratrovich showed courage in an era marked by routine discrimination against Alaska Native people.
“Elizabeth Peratrovich changed Alaskan history — and American history — for the better, a fact that continues to inspire future generations and places her in the company of America’s foremost civil rights leaders, like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Susan B. Anthony,” Sullivan said.
In a speech on the Senate floor Murkowski said the day honoring Peratrovich has been observed in Alaska since as early as 1988.
“But it is a time for us as Alaskans to reflect on the contributions of a pretty extraordinary woman, a Tlingit woman,” Murkowski said. “I think it’s always important and timely to pay attention, to reflect on the legacies of those who have really worked to advance a more inclusive society and a more representative democracy.”
Murkowski called Peratrovich “an inspiration.”
“She set the example that when you see injustice you speak out, you take action,” Murkowski said. “And she also provided a great example for why we need to listen to the perspective of all voices, especially those who have been left out or left behind.”
Sitka celebrated Elizabeth Peratrovich Day Thursday with a parade and celebration following the parade, with dancing and treats at ANB Founders Hall. The event was organized by Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 and Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1, and included several Native dance groups from Sitka and Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
Organizers in announcing the events pointed to “Peratrovich’s strong, articulate presence at the Alaska Territorial Legislature, and unwavering purpose to gain equal rights for all Alaskans,” which they said helped push through the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945.
Paulette Moreno, who was ANS grand camp president from 2019 to 2021 and currently is an ANS executive council member, commented today about the significance of Peratrovich and this resolution.
“The significance and passage of this resolution is an honorable gesture and is well received and appreciated,” Moreno said. “The good will and intent from our representatives will assure that Elizabeth’s counsel will be given breath in our societies. She shared that the passage of the Anti-Discrimination bill will need constant vigilance to uphold the Spirit of the bill for generations. The Spirit of the bill is expressed in the current voices being lifted to protect the best way of life of all our families ... fair and equal citizenship by honoring the power, presence and persuasion of a Tlingit Women for time immemorial.”
In an earlier interview about the observance in Sitka, Moreno commented about some of Peratrovich’s leadership qualities and strengths.
“She had courage,” Moreno said. “She did not have fear. If she saw something that was not just, she spoke to it, and she spoke directly to it. She had the ability to remind people of our place in society.”
Below is the full U.S. Senate resolution under the title Designating February 16, 2023, as “National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day.”
“Whereas Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich, Tlingit, was a member of the Lukaax.ádi clan in the Raven moiety with the Tlingit name of Kaaxgal.aat (referred to in this preamble as “Elizabeth”) who fought for social equality, civil liberties, and respect for Alaska Native and Native American communities;
“Whereas Elizabeth, who was born in 1911 in Petersburg, Alaska, experienced discrimination as a Tlingit woman, and dedicated her life to creating a better future for Alaska Natives;
“Whereas, more than 6,000 patriotic Alaska Natives protected the United States alongside non-Native Servicemen and women during World War II, despite suffering from unjust discrimination;
“Whereas, in 1941, Elizabeth and her husband, Roy Peratrovich, moved to Juneau, the capital city of Alaska, to campaign tirelessly for the passage of the anti-discrimination legislation of Ernest Gruening, the Governor of Alaska, which would later result in the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945;
“Whereas, in campaigning for the passage of anti-discrimination legislation, Elizabeth persevered for several years traveling across the Alaska Territory enabling, rallying, and uniting Alaska Natives to fight for recognition that they are created equal to others and equally endowed with “unalienable Rights”;
“Whereas Elizabeth was a powerful orator who envisioned unity and then spoke it into existence through community advocacy and the support of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and the Alaska Native Sisterhood;
“Whereas Elizabeth testified strongly before the Alaska Territorial legislature vote on the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, passionately asking the legislature, “Have you eliminated larceny or murder by passing a law against it? No law will eliminate crimes but, at least you as legislators, can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of the present situation and speak your intent to help us overcome discrimination.”;
“Whereas the Alaska Territorial Legislature passed the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 on February 16, 1945, which was the first anti-discrimination law enacted in the history of the United States;
“Whereas Elizabeth dedicated the rest of her life to create a better Alaska for future generations;
“Whereas Elizabeth tragically died of cancer in 1958, but her legacy has not been forgotten;
“Whereas, beginning in 1988, the State of Alaska has recognized February 16 as Elizabeth Peratrovich Day; and
“Whereas, in 2020, the United States Mint released the Elizabeth Peratrovich $1 coin to commemorate the significant impact that Elizabeth had on advancing equality under the law in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
“Resolved, That the Senate—
“1. designates February 16, 2023, as “National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day”;
“2. calls on the people of the United States to observe National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day by remembering the work of Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich and other civil rights leaders; and
“3. encourages the people of the United States and Members of Congress to commemorate the life and civil rights advocacy of Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich by continuing the important work of ensuring equality for Alaska Natives and Native Americans.”
The first Elizabeth Peratrovich Day was proclaimed by Gov. Steve Cowper in 1988. He set April 21, 1988, as a day to recognize the contributions Peratrovich made toward winning civil rights for Alaska Native people. The observance later was moved to Feb. 16.
A booklet “A Recollection of Civil Rights Leader Elizabeth Peratrovich, 1911-1958” provides information about her life:
Born on July 4, 1911, in Petersburg, Elizabeth Jean Wanamaker was adopted by Presbyterian Church missionaries Andrew and Mary Wanamaker and lived in several Southeast communities. She graduated from Ketchikan High School and attended Sheldon Jackson in Sitka before heading to Bellingham to earn teaching credentials at Western College of Education.
She married Roy Peratrovich of Klawock on Dec. 15, 1931. After college, the pair returned to Klawock. After they had three children, Frank, Loretta and Roy Jr., they moved to Juneau in 1941 to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a larger town. But they also experienced racism in the capital city.
In February 1945 the Peratroviches testified before the Alaska Senate in support of an anti-discrimination bill that had been passed by the House but was meeting strong resistance in the Senate. By then Elizabeth was ANS Grand President and Roy was ANB Grand President – both of them installed in Sitka in 1940 – and both were recognized as leaders in the civil rights movement.
The anti-discrimination bill was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by territorial Gov. Ernest Gruening on Feb. 16, 1945.
