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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Across Philadelphia and New Hampshire, there is a growing movement to honor the full narrative of American history, with a special focus on Ona Judge and her bold escape from slavery 230 years ago.
Born into servitude on George Washington’s estate, Judge made a daring escape at the age of 22 from the president’s Philadelphia residence on May 21, 1796. She stowed away on a vessel bound for New Hampshire, where she would later marry and have a family of three children.
To commemorate her legacy, May 21st has been designated as Ona Judge Day in Philadelphia. On Thursday, a rally convened at the President’s House site, an area affected by the Trump administration’s initiative to excise content it considers “disparaging” to America from federal sites. Rally attendees, after hearing from advocates striving to reinstate displays about Judge and others enslaved there, chanted, “Tell the truth! Restore our history!”
In January, panels were unexpectedly taken down following an executive directive from President Donald Trump. Although some exhibits have been reinstated due to a judicial order, further restoration has been paused as the administration appeals the decision.
One of the panels now reinstalled features Judge, and her legacy is further honored through a series of bronze footprints along the sidewalk, symbolizing her flight to liberty.
“We remember her courage, her passion, her determination, that we make sure that in no way, shape or form she is ever forgotten,” said Cindy Bass, a member of the Philadelphia City Council. “Each one, teach one. Everyone, tell someone.”
Dawn Chavous, a volunteer for the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, said it’s important to acknowledge the contributions of all people who shaped the country.
“You can’t love America without knowing the good, the bad and the ugly,” she said. “Slavery was part of our American story, and that is not something that we should hide or run away from.”
In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a 13-by-25-foot mural depicting Judge is being unveiled Saturday on the side of a building owned by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. The organization has featured her story for years with tours and other educational programs.
“At a time when stories of struggle and freedom are being erased, New Hampshire is choosing something different: to make the quest for freedom visible, permanent, and undeniable,” the organization said in announcing the mural project.
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Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.