On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass stood before an abolitionist group and gave one of his most famous speeches: "What To The Slave Is The Fourth of July?" That speech confronted the hypocrisy of an Independence Day in a country that still endorsed the bondage and forced labor of more than 1 in 8 of its residents. In July 2020, @npr asked five Douglass descendants to read and respond to excerpts of that speech. They reflected on America's ongoing pursuit of liberty and justice for all. This proj

The Black Woman Who Made Frederick Douglass’s Legacy Before Frederick Douglass became a global icon, his first wife, Anna Murray Douglass, risked everything to fund his escape from slavery and support his fight for freedom. Their daughter, Rosetta Douglass Sprague, refused to let history erase her mother’s contributions, writing My Mother as I Recall Her to honor Anna’s life and sacrifices. Discover the untold story of Black women who shaped history but were never taught in schools. Anna Murray

Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for justice and equality. Born into slavery in 1818, he escaped as a young man and became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. People everywhere still find inspiration today in his tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity. This week, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams toured Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington D.C., learning about Douglass, and his family, including his wife, Anna, who help

★ AUG 4: Do you know the story of Anna Murray Douglass? The wife of Frederick Douglass. Her daughter Rosetta once reminded those who admired her father that his “was a story made possible by the unswerving loyalty of Anna Murray.” Anna Murray Douglass (March 8, 1813 – August 4, 1882) #AnnaMurrayDouglass #FrederickDouglass #PBW #powerfulblackwomen | Powerful Black Women