BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
2012
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Black Women in American Culture and History > is the 2012 national theme for Black
History Month, which is observed in North Carolina as a way to encourage all citizens to learn about and
appreciate our rich African American history; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is proud to recognize notable women who made a tremendous impact on
our state and nation, including abolitionist and author Harriet Jacobs, whose book Incidents in the Life of a
Slave Girl, has inspired and enriched the lives of countless readers, and whose story of survival and triumph
still resonates as an example of determination and strength; Charlotte Hawkins Brown, founder of Palmer
Memorial Institute, who provided a college preparatory education for black students; singer, songwriter,
pianist and activist Nina Simone, whose music helped shaped the political conscience of our nation during the
Civil Rights Movement; and folk artist Minnie Evans, known for her brilliant use of color in her work; and
WHEREAS, African American women from North Carolina have been on the forefront of human
rights; including Ella Baker, who led nonviolent protests for race equality and civil rights in the 1930’s and
throughout her life; and civil and women’s rights activist lawyer and writer, Pauli Murray, became the first
African American female Episcopal priest and co-founder of the National Organization for Women; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina joins the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
with the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, in recognizing the accomplishments of
African American women in North Carolina and their contributions to our way of life; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina State Historic Sites such as the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum,
numerous North Carolina Highway Historical markers, State Archives and the State Library Genealogy
Branch, recognize the lives of African Americans in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Black History Month pays tribute to and recognizes the numerous outstanding
accomplishments, past and present, that African Americans make to our state, nation, and the world;
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do
hereby proclaim February 2012, as "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" in North Carolina and call upon all
citizens of this state to observe and commemorate Black History Month.
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of
North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this tenth day of January in the year of our Lord two thousand and
twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
