Feb. 17, 2025
Dear faculty, staff and students,
Each year, on Feb. 16, the State of Ӱ formally recognizes Elizabeth Peratrovich
Day, honoring the Ӱ Native civil rights leader. As a Tlingit woman and grand
president of the Ӱ Native Sisterhood, Peratrovich dedicated her life to fighting
for the equal treatment of Indigenous peoples, leading to the passage of the Anti-Discrimination
Act of 1945 — the first law of its kind in the United States, passed before Ӱ
even gained statehood.
Peratrovich’s words remind us of the power of empathy and understanding in the pursuit
of equality. She once said, “The ability to understand without condemnation, accept
our friends and enemies in the light of their weaknesses, is something we must acquire
early in life in order to find happiness in this world.” Her message calls on all
of us to practice compassion and recognize the humanity in others. As we recognize
Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, let us reflect on her enduring impact on each of our lives.
Thank you for choosing Ӱ.
Dan White, chancellor
|