Bill > HR186

This resolution designates October 9, 2025, as "Mary Ann Shadd Cary Day" in Pennsylvania to commemorate the life and significant achievements of Mary Ann Shadd Cary, a prominent 19th-century African American abolitionist, educator, and lawyer. Born in 1823 in Wilmington, Delaware, Shadd Cary was a pioneering activist who established schools for Black youth, helped enslaved people escape via the Underground Railroad, and became the first Black female newspaper publisher in North America when she founded The Provincial Freeman. After the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law made assisting escaped slaves illegal, she moved to Canada but continued her activism, touring the United States and advocating for the complete legal, economic, and social equality of Black Americans. Additionally, she was a women's suffrage supporter, addressing Congress in 1874 to support women's right to vote. The resolution highlights her role as a strong female leader who broke down significant barriers and whose fight for equality continues to inspire people today, ultimately honoring her remarkable contributions to civil rights and social justice.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=R&bn=186