Steps to Support Ella Baker Day
|
Join the Movement! Put Ella Baker Day on the Calendar
Sign the Petition and Spread the Word
If you would like to start a petition in your state, please contact us!
We currently have petitions running in Maryland, New York, South Carolina, and Virginia (see below).
We also now have a federal petition to create a national holiday.
Proclamation to Create an Ella Baker Day in the U.S.
Did you know President Biden opened his 2020 Democratic National Convention Speech with a reference to Ella Baker? He quoted Ella Baker and said: "Ella Baker, a giant of the civil rights movement, left us with this wisdom: Give people light and they will find a way."
Sign this petition at: https://www.change.org/EBD-NationalHoliday
WHEREAS, Ms. Ella Jo Baker, 1903-1986, served this great nation as a leader, educator, and activist on behalf of underprivileged communities; and
WHEREAS, Baker was the granddaughter of enslaved Africans; and
WHEREAS, Baker strongly advocated that the common (wo)man, not solely recognized leaders, are the backbone of this country; and
WHEREAS, Baker is a model for working across party lines and ideological differences to build strong, effective coalitions; and
WHEREAS, Baker dedicated her life to serving those less fortunate by participating in a broad base of organizations including but not limited to the American Federation of Labor, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the New York Public Library, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and the Voter Education Project; and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service honored Baker with a postage stamp as part of a special issue commemorating Civil Rights Pioneers; and
WHEREAS, numerous historical and other scholarly texts have documented Baker's lifelong participation in social movements; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting to recognize Ms. Ella Jo Baker as one of our nation’s greatest unsung heroes, as loved and appreciated by all those who had the opportunity to work alongside her, as an eternal believer in the potential, dignity, and importance of all people, and as an honorable and dedicated citizen; and
WHEREAS, April 16th marks the weekend that Ella Baker helped the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) come to fruition;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the residents of the United States, do suggest the recognition of April 16 as Ella Baker Day in the United States of America and call the attention of all our citizens.
WHEREAS, Baker was the granddaughter of enslaved Africans; and
WHEREAS, Baker strongly advocated that the common (wo)man, not solely recognized leaders, are the backbone of this country; and
WHEREAS, Baker is a model for working across party lines and ideological differences to build strong, effective coalitions; and
WHEREAS, Baker dedicated her life to serving those less fortunate by participating in a broad base of organizations including but not limited to the American Federation of Labor, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the New York Public Library, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and the Voter Education Project; and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service honored Baker with a postage stamp as part of a special issue commemorating Civil Rights Pioneers; and
WHEREAS, numerous historical and other scholarly texts have documented Baker's lifelong participation in social movements; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting to recognize Ms. Ella Jo Baker as one of our nation’s greatest unsung heroes, as loved and appreciated by all those who had the opportunity to work alongside her, as an eternal believer in the potential, dignity, and importance of all people, and as an honorable and dedicated citizen; and
WHEREAS, April 16th marks the weekend that Ella Baker helped the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) come to fruition;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the residents of the United States, do suggest the recognition of April 16 as Ella Baker Day in the United States of America and call the attention of all our citizens.
Proclamation to Create an Ella Baker Day in
|
|