Tag Archives: Harriett Elizabeth Byrd

Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr./Wyoming Equality Day

Martin Luther King, Jr./Wyoming Equality Day falls on the third Monday in January. It marks a time of remembrance and reflection on the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his relentless quest for equality, human rights … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Martin Luther King Jr., Political history, Social justice, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emancipation Day at Cheyenne’s Allen Chapel AME Church

You’ve probably heard of Juneteenth, but have you ever heard of Emancipation Day? Emancipation Day has been celebrated on different dates in the U.S. since the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. The tradition of Watch … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, community collections, Digital collections, Local history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Searchlight Club: Elevating Cheyenne’s African American Women

August 26 marks the date in 1920 when American women were enfranchised equally with their male counterparts. Nonetheless, African American women continued facing barriers to voting for decades, as well as negative stereotypes, harassment, and unequal access to jobs, housing, … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Western history, Women -- suffrage, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Wyoming Legislator Liz Byrd’s Quest to Honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 21 is Wyoming Equality Day. Perhaps you wondered this morning as you sipped your coffee about how Wyoming Equality Day originated? Cheyenne native and Wyoming state legislator Harriett Elizabeth “Liz” Byrd was the guiding individual behind it, although a … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Current events, found in the archive, Martin Luther King Jr., Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wyoming Equality Day: Liz Byrd’s quest to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

Did you perhaps wonder as you sipped your coffee this morning about how Wyoming Equality Day originated?  Cheyenne native and Wyoming state legislator Harriett Elizabeth “Liz” Byrd was the guiding individual behind it.  Byrd was the first black woman to … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Martin Luther King Jr., Political history, Social justice, Women in Politics, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating Wyoming Women

As a celebration of women’s accomplishments and progress towards equal footing with men, here are a few Wyoming women with notable firsts. Of course, no mention of women’s history in Wyoming could be complete without paying homage to Nellie Tayloe … Continue reading

Posted in Women -- suffrage, Women in Politics, women's history, Women's suffrage, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Black History Month Highlight: Elizabeth Byrd, Wyoming Politician

We continue our celebration of Black History Month by drawing much-deserved attention to Elizabeth Byrd.  She was another Wyoming “First,” in that she was the first African-American to serve in the Wyoming House of Representatives, as well as in the … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Black history, Black History Month, Political history, Politics, western politics and leadership, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment