Elizabeth Peratrovich Day – Feb. 16, 2027

Expected Elizabeth Peratrovich Day Deals

On Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, the focus shifts from commercial deals to educational and community-based initiatives. Organizations like the Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Alaska Federation of Natives often host events, lectures, and cultural programs to educate the public on Peratrovich’s legacy and ongoing civil rights issues. Some Alaskan businesses and institutions may close or offer special educational content. Look for local libraries and museums to feature exhibits or reading lists related to Alaska Native history and civil rights. We will update this page with confirmed live events and educational resources as February 16 approaches.

History of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day

Born an Alaska Native of the Lukaax̱ clan of the Tlingit nation (also spelled Tlinkit), Peratrovich faced discrimination from a very young age. This is where the seeds of her activism career were sown.

She married fellow activist Roy Peratrovich in 1933, and eight years later, moved with her family to Juneau, Alaska for better access to lawmakers who could help the couple affect change in their community. The couple faced the same discrimination there and were even turned away when trying to buy a house, on account of their racial identity. The same year they moved, in December, the couple spotted a ‘No Natives Allowed’ sign on the door of an inn. They were outraged at this and demanded action. They wrote a letter to Alaskan Governor Ernest H. Gruening, stating that native boys were fighting right alongside white boys in World War II, to protect the freedom the latter enjoyed.

This letter launched Peratrovich’s campaign to pass an anti-discriminatory bill. With the support of Governor Gruening, she pushed the bill to the House, where it failed in a tie vote in 1943. Peratrovich refused to be discouraged, however, and traveled with her husband around Alaska, urging Native Americans to join their fight.

By 1945, after years of work, a second anti-discrimination bill was put before the Alaska Senate. When asked by an opponent who these people, “barely out of savagery” were, who wanted to associate with people that had years of civilization behind them, Peratrovich had a clear response. She took the floor to say, “I would not have expected that I, who am barely out of savagery, would have to remind the gentlemen with 5,000 years of recorded civilization behind them of our Bill of Rights.” She also asserted that this bill would officially recognize the problem of racial discrimination and show intent to overcome it. Her passionate plea was met with thunderous applause and resounding favor state-wide. And perhaps best of all, the historic Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 was passed.

She continued her work until the day she passed at the age of 47. She was buried beside her husband in the shade of a Sitka spruce in Juneau’s Evergreen Cemetery. Each year on this day, a groundskeeper opens access to this gravesite for people to pay their respects.

In 1988, Alaska Governor Steve Cowper established Elizabeth Peratrovich Day on April 21 to honor her commitment to bringing racial equality to Alaska. To honor the day the Anti-Discrimination Act was approved, and the date of the celebration was later changed to February 16.

On this day each year, Alaskans honor her memory by revisiting her work and visiting her gravesite. Public monuments and parks are named after her, and she has a place of honor in everyone’s minds.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Elizabeth Peratrovich Day