Elizabeth Peratrovich was an American civil rights activist, Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, and member of the Tlingit nation who worked for equality on behalf of Alaska Natives. She fought against discrimination and was instrumental in the passing of Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, the first state or territorial anti-discrimination law enacted in the United States.
Elizabeth Wannamaker was born in Petersburg, Alaska, on July 4, 1911, a member of the Tlingit Nation. She was adopted by Andrew and Mary Wanamaker. In 1941, while living in Juneau, Alaska, Elizabeth, and Roy Peratrovich encountered discrimination in their attempts to secure housing. With the help of others, Elizabeth and Roy drafted and introduced an anti-discrimination bill in 1941. She passed away on December 1, 1958.
1 No law will eliminate crimes. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
It is in the nature of society to have elements which disrupt order. No law can bring a definite end to crimes. Rather laws are meant to discourage and limit crimes and punish those who break them.
2 Asking you to give me rights implies that they are yours to give. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
Nobody owns your rights. Everyone is born equal and has just the same rights as anybody else. No one person has the authority to take away others’ rights.
3 I would not have expected that I, who am barely out of savagery, will have to remind gentlemen with 5,000 years of recorded civilization behind us of our rights. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
Even after having years of history to look at and learn from, men of today still have to be reminded of basic rights that everyone deserves. People still act like they are savages even though civilization should have learned the lesson of equality long ago.
4 I must demand that you stop trying to deny me the rights that all people deserve. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
Stand up for your rights. If your rights are being seized from you, your voice suppressed, then it is your responsibility to stand against your oppressors. You shouldn’t beg for your rights, but instead demand them.
5 You as legislatures can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of the present situation. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
It is the responsibility of the legislature, the ones who are supposed to be making laws, to take appropriate action to fight crime.They should make laws and must be determined to fight the evils of the society.
6 Speak your intent to help us overcome discrimination. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
Speak up whenever you see injustice. Your silence makes you complicit. Speak up and help the oppressed to overcome discrimination.
6 Powerful Quotes By Elizabeth Peratrovich!
1. No law will eliminate crimes. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
2. Asking you to give me rights implies that they are yours to give. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
3. I would not have expected that I, who am barely out of savagery, will have to remind gentlemen with 5,000 years of recorded civilization behind us of our rights. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
4. I must demand that you stop trying to deny me the rights that all people deserve. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
5. You as legislatures can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of the present situation. -Elizabeth Peratrovich
6. Speak your intent to help us overcome discrimination. -Elizabeth Pertrovich
