Norton Introduces ‘Mary Church Terrell Day’ Resolution, Honoring the Life of Civil Rights and Women's Rights Activist

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September 23, 2024, as "Mary Church Terrell Day," recognizing Mary Church Terrell's lasting contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements. Terrell moved to the District of Columbia in 1887 to become a teacher at M Street Colored High School, now known as Dunbar High School, which is Norton's alma mater.

Terrell's parents encouraged her to pursue education, beginning her journey to become one of the first Black women to graduate from college and later to become the first Black woman appointed to the D.C. board of education. As a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Association of Colored Women, Terrell spent her life working to advance the status of African American women as a civil and women's rights activist.

"Mary Church Terrell is well known for the battles she fought in the District of Columbia to demand a more equal America for Black women," Norton said. "Her education empowered her to speak against the flaws of segregation and voter suppression. Our history books are filled with the accomplishment of men, but not enough of women who, like Mary Church Terrell, worked to change the world."

The text of the resolution follows.

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of September 23, 2024, as "Mary Church Terrell Day", and calling on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell's lasting contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _______________

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of September 23, 2024, as "Mary Church Terrell Day", and calling on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell's lasting contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements.

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was born on September 23, 1863, in Memphis, Tennessee, to former enslaved persons;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell's father, Robert Reed Church, was a successful businessman and one of the South's first African-American millionaires;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell attended the Antioch College laboratory school and Oberlin College;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African-American women to attend college;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell's belief in the importance of education led her to the District of Columbia in 1887;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell taught at M Street Colored High School, now known as Paul Laurence Dunbar High School;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was the first African-American woman to be appointed to a school board;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell believed that the end to racial discrimination could be achieved through education, work, and community activism;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell's activism was sparked by the lynching of an old friend, Thomas Moss, in 1892;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell used her position to fight racial and gender discrimination;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell participated in antilynching campaigns alongside Ida B. Wells-Barnett;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell led the fight to desegregate eating places in the District of Columbia;

Whereas District of Columbia laws of 1872 and 1873 required all restaurants "to serve any respectable, well-behaved person regardless of color";

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was age 86 at the time she launched the campaign to enforce these civil rights laws;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell and several colleagues entered Thompson Restaurant in the District of Columbia on February 28, 1950;

Whereas the group was refused service on the basis of their race;

Whereas John R. Thompson Co., Inc., was prosecuted for violating these laws;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell continued her fight through boycotts, picketing, and sit-ins at restaurants around the District of Columbia;

Whereas, on June 8, 1953, three years after the information charging the restaurant was filed, the Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. John R. Thompson Co., Inc., held these laws were enforceable;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell also actively fought for women's suffrage;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was president of the National Association of Colored Women;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was one of the founders and charter members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell persuaded the National Association of University Women to admit Black members;

Whereas the Mary Church Terrell House is a National Historic Landmark located at 326 T Street, N.W., in the District of Columbia, and is open to the public; and

Whereas September 23 would be an appropriate day to designate as Mary Church Terrell Day: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives-

1. supports the designation of "Mary Church Terrell Day"; and
2. (2) calls on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell's lasting contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements.

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