Bessie Mae Jackson: Historian Makes History

Bessie Mae Jackson, New York State Director of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, turns 99 on Sunday, March 9. The lifelong educator, playwright, poet, and community advocate hosts the Smiling Through Tears talk show podcast on racial injustice and community advocacy.

While in college, she founded the NYC Day Care Workers Union Local 1707 and, later, the African American History and Culture Center in the Bronx. In 2020 at age 94, after 16 years of advocacy to create a new NYS holiday to honor those who fought to end slavery, she witnessed the enactment of the first state holiday proclaiming the Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery in New York or Abolition Commemoration Day.

Ms. Jackson said in 2020, “Freedom was never given, it was fought for. Today marks the creation of a new holiday – Abolition Commemoration Day – to recognize the end of slavery in New York State and a start to teaching our full uncompromised history. New York was one of the largest slave-holding states in this country and we are convinced that a civilized state should do no less than spend at least one day a year in atonement for its participation in the horror, fear and trauma that sustained slavery for more than 200 years.

We are proud to have led this fight and stand with the entire state legislature to recognize the sacrifices of African Americans and other abolitionists in their fight for freedom.” A Saturday, March 8 birthday tribute in Westchester in her honor is designed to raise funds for ASALH. For information, contact Louise Dente, Cultural Caravan: 908-956-2134.