Ellen Garrison (Photos – robbinshouse.org)
The Altadena Historical Society (AHS) and Mountain View Mortuary have partnered to host a celebration with lunch, art, and scholarships on Monday, June 19, 2023, to commemorate the Juneteenth Holiday.
By News Desk
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19, since 1865. Officially Juneteenth National Independence Day it is also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. Juneteenth’s commemoration is on the anniversary of the June 19, 1865, announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army General Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas, the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery
In 2021, when President Joe Biden proclaimed June 19th a national holiday, the Altadena Historical Society celebrated the event by remembering the life of Ellen Garrison Clark, a 19th century civil rights activist, and created a scholarship fund in her name.
AHS President, Jane Brackman, said, “This year, our organization will award two $1,000 Ellen Garrison Clark scholarships to John Muir High School graduating seniors at the Altadena Juneteenth Celebration. With very generous donations from Altadenans, we’ve been able to award scholarships two years in a row. Our hope is to get more involved with the community and make this an annual event.”
Ellen Garrison Clark and Juneteenth
Ellen Garrison Clark was an African American woman, anti-slavery activist, civil rights advocate and educator who made the education of African Americans and their civil rights her mission in life. She spent the final years of her life in the Altadena/Pasadena area teaching Blacks to read and write. Clark died on December 21, 1892, and was laid to rest at the Altadena Mouintain View Cemetery without a grave marker. In 2021, AHS raised funds to install a permanent marker at the gravesite. Last year AHS celebrated Juneteenth by honoring hidden histories of Altadena and awarding two scholarships to local Muir students.
Juneteenth Celebration June 19, 2023 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Location William D. Davis Memorial Building – Farmsworth Park 568 Mount Curve Ave., Altadena Ellen Garrison Clark Scholarship to be awarded during the luncheon Lunch: $20 (click for tickets) Table for 8: $160 Art by the late Altadena resident Jean Lanier will be on display.
> More information on Ellen Garrison Clark and the 2021 Juneteenth event can be found at this link.
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