Frederick Douglass Memorial Lecture: African American History Month at the United States Embassy, Hill Station (24 February 2009)

US Embassy Freetown
Contact: PAO Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 022-515-000; 076-515-000

In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson first brought to the wider public’s attention the African American experience by encouraging scholarly investigation of Black History.  Since then, Americans have focused on that history each February, which has come to be known as African American History Month, although African American History infuses our lives on a daily basis.

The United States Embassy’s month of programs to celebrate African American History Month will culminate in a memorial lecture on the Life and Legacy of Frederick Douglass on February 27, presented by his descendant, Embassy Consular Chief William Douglass.  To conclude the month-long celebration, Ambassador Perry will present awards to the winners of an essay competition on Frederick Douglass and African American History for Senior Secondary School students following the lecture.

Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist, suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer. Called "The Sage of Anacostia" and "The Lion of Anacostia," Douglass is one of the most prominent figures in U. S. history. In 1872, Douglass became the first African-American nominated as a Vice Presidential candidate in the U.S., running on the Equal Rights Party ticket with Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for President. He was a firm believer in the equality of all people.

As we mark National African American History Month, we should take note of this special moment in our Nation's history and the actors who worked so diligently to deliver us to this place. One such organization is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People -- the NAACP -- which this year will witness 100 years of service to the Nation on February 12. Because of their work, including the contributions of those luminaries on the front lines and great advocates behind the scenes, we as a Nation were able to take the dramatic steps we have in recent history.