Likeness of Douglass dedicated at Capitol
A number of prominent black Republicans from North Carolina were on hand June 19 as U.S. House and Senate leaders helped to dedicate the Frederick Douglass monument in Emancipation Hall of the U. S. Capitol.
The monument resides alongside those of other black freedom fighters like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Sojourner Truth.
Dr. Ada M. Fisher, a NC Republican National Committeewoman and Kevin Daniels, director of Americorps and volunteerism for Gov. Pat McCrory, were on hand for the ceremony, which also included Vice President Joe Biden, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Douglass’ great-great-granddaughter Nettie Washington Douglass (who is also the great granddaughter of Booker T. Washington).
Douglass was born a slave in 1818 in Talbot County, Md.. After escaping from slavery, he became one of the greatest abolitionists of his time, demanding the end of slavery through his speaking and writing.
A Republican and associate of President Abraham Lincoln, he advocated for human freedoms for blacks and women, promoted equal rights for freedmen and pushed for anti-lynching laws.
Douglass held several government posts, including U. S. Marshal for the District of Columbia in 1877, Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia in 1881 and Minister-Resident and Consul General to the Republic of Haiti. The distinguished statesman was also a minister and member of the African American Episcopal Zion Church.
