Bill Summary
This legislation expresses support for designating September 23 as "Mary Church Terrell Day" and calls on Congress to recognize her significant contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements. Mary Church Terrell was a prominent figure in the fight against racial and gender discrimination, using her position as a teacher and school board member to advocate for change. She also actively fought for women's suffrage and was a key leader in the National Association of Colored Women and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. This resolution also acknowledges the significance of the Mary Church Terrell House, which is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Possible Impacts
1. The resolution could inspire people to learn more about Mary Church Terrell's contributions to the civil rights and women's rights movements, thus promoting awareness and education about her legacy.
2. The designation of September 23 as "Mary Church Terrell Day" could lead to celebrations and events honoring her life and work, bringing communities together and promoting unity and inclusivity.
3. The resolution could also serve as a reminder of the ongoing fight against racial and gender discrimination, and inspire people to continue advocating for equal rights and justice.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 583 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 583
Expressing support for the designation of September 23 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
September 24, 2019
Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Oversight and Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of September 23 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 slaves;
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 the M Street Colored High School, now
known as Paul Laurence Dunbar High School;
Whereas Mary Church Terrell was the first African-American woman in the United
States 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 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. 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 lawsuit was filed, the Supreme
Court in District of Columbia v. John R. Thompson Co., 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 NW 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) calls on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell's
legacy of civil rights and women's rights.
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