Growing up, I loved celebrating a special holiday in February.
In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson declared the second week of February time to celebrate the contributions made by African Americans. He chose this week because of the birthdays of two men important to the African American history: President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and author and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14).
I grew up learning about ordinary people who did extraordinary things, many women. They worked under daunting conditions of slavery, segregation, war, discrimination, and racism.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford declared February “Black History Month.” He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
As you prepare for Women of the ELCA Bold Women’s Day – which celebrates women who have or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ – remember that our accomplishments and legacy are only alive when we tell the story.
This message is excerpted from “Our history comes alive with stories,” by Valora Starr from the February 17, 2020, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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