You might be asking yourself, "Who?"
And that's ok- I'm here to tell you!
In the Alaska Purchase of 1867, the United States took on more than just the land. There were indigenous people living everywhere in Alaska. Like Native Americans in the lower 48, Alaska Natives struggled to keep their basic human rights, as well as protect their ancient ties to the land. The U.S. Bill of Rights did not apply to them.
Elizabeth Peratrovich, a Tlingit, married Roy Peratrovich in Washington state, and they decided to move back to Alaska to raise their family in 1941. On moving from Klawock to Juneau, they were astonished to discover signs in business establishments revealing blatant discrimination against Alaska's Native people. With the help of then Governor Ernest Gruening and Congressional Representative Anthony J. Dimond, legislation was sponsored and introduced in the Legislature in 1943, but it was without "equal rights".
In 1944, 15 year old Alberta Schneck, was jailed for sitting in the "whites only" section of a Nome movie house. Schenck's protest was spontaneous, and did not receive the massive press coverage received by Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott. But the effect was similar. Following Schenck's show of determination, dozens of Natives went to the theater and sat anywhere they chose -- and were not arrested.
The Dream Theater incident drew the attention of territorial Gov. Ernest Gruening, who pledged to end such practices in Alaska. As Grand Camp President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, Elizabeth provided the crucial testimony that cultivated passage of the Anti Discrimination Bill.
It was her response when questioned by the Senate -- Will the equal rights bill eliminate discrimination in Alaska? -- that split the opposition and allowed the bill to pass.
Elizabeth answered, "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."
As Elizabeth stepped down from the Senate platform, the galleries, and some of the senators, gave her a rousing acclaim. The Senate passed the bill 11 to 5, in 1945. A new era in Alaska's racial relations had begun.
The Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 was one of the first such laws passed anywhere in America, and ten years before Brown versus Board of Education! Bet you didn't know that did you? Twenty-three years ago, Alaska created a new state holiday to celebrate civil rights, and honor Elizabeth Peratrovich every February 16th!
Elizabeth died on December 1, 1958, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
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