Elizabeth Peratrovich, Civil Rights Leader in Alaska

The Power of One Voice

A tribute to Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich, Civil Rights leader in Alaska. February 16th of each year is a state holiday in Alaska, because of the influential speech she made on February 16, 1945 before the Alaska Territorial Senate.

Elizabeth Peratrovich was the final speaker on that day in 1945. After the long speeches and logical arguments were over, Elizabeth rose to tell the truth about prejudice.

"I would not have expected," she said "that I, who am barely out of savagery, would have to remind gentlemen with five thousand years of recorded civilization behind them of our Bill of Rights."

Excerpt from a story by M. C. Kauffman; historical photo courtesy of Gigi Pilcher. Please click here for full article.

A movie is being made about Elizabeth Peratrovich! Click here to read a news story in the 10/18/09 online issue of Anchorage Daily News.

~ A Tribute ~

While Howard and I lived in Klawock, Alaska - on Prince of Wales Island - we were invited each year to the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration at Klawock School. Not only were we invited because Howard was a local pastor, but because we were considered to be elders, because of our ages, and Alaskans honor their elders! At the celebration, the elementary school children presented information and art in honor of Mrs. Peratrovich. It was always a treat!

It was not the only celebration of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, of course. The Klawock ANS group hosted a dinner as well.

When I heard about Elizabeth and the speech she gave in 1945, I was impressed that the power of her words brought about a dramatic change for both that day and for the future of Alaska. Discrimination against Native peoples was brought to a halt by the Territorial Legislature then, and the effect continued on into Alaska's statehood, which occurred in 1959. The Act passed in 1945 is said to have been the "first anti-discrimination law in the nation," although Alaska was only a territory at the time.

My purpose for this Tribute page is to let people outside of Alaska know about this wonderful Alaskan, because in a sense what she did was just as important as what Dr. Martin Luther King was able to accomplish. Marge Marshall, January 29, 2005

[Locals pronounce Peratrovich as "puh-RAT-ruh-vitch"]

Elizabeth Peratrovich Day is more than a "Native" holiday. It is a day for all people to reaffirm belief in the U.S. Constitution, its resulting Bill of Rights and in democracy itself. Democracy is more than a government by the people. It relies on the principles of social equality and respect for the individual within all communities. --Wanda Culp

Juneau Empire Opinion On-Line, February 23, 2004
Full article at www.juneauempire.com/stories/022304/opi_peratrovich.shtml