Philly Declares ‘Ona Judge Day’ to Honor Escaped Enslaved Woman

History is being made in Philadelphia as the city officially designates May 21st as ‘Ona Judge Day.’ This significant resolution honors the life and daring escape of Ona Judge, a woman who was enslaved by George and Martha Washington and became a powerful symbol of resistance against the brutal institution of slavery.

A Day of Remembrance and Recognition

The Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed the resolution, recognizing the profound importance of Ona Judge’s story. This designation serves as a crucial opportunity to highlight the realities of slavery within the early American government and celebrate the strength and agency of individuals who fought for their freedom.

Rosalyn McPherson, a member of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, emphasized the significance of remembering enslaved people not as mere servants, but as individuals with dreams and aspirations. “These weren’t just menial servants here. These were people who had goals and aspirations,” she stated, underscoring the humanity often erased by historical narratives of enslavement.

Celebrating Agency and Resilience

The resolution encourages schools and cultural institutions to use May 21st as a day for learning, focusing on key themes such as historical accuracy regarding the presence of enslaved people in early American power structures. It also celebrates the power of agency, highlighting Judge’s meticulous planning and her unwavering refusal to return to bondage, even after Martha Washington’s death.

Ona Judge’s story is particularly poignant in Philadelphia, as she cleverly utilized Pennsylvania’s “Gradual Abolition Act” of 1780. This act stipulated that enslaved individuals brought into Pennsylvania by non-residents for over six months were eligible for freedom. To circumvent this, the Washingtons famously rotated their enslaved staff, but Judge managed to escape this system.

A Legacy of Confronting Injustice

On May 21, 1796, while the Washingtons were dining, Ona Judge seized her opportunity and walked out of the President’s House, boarding a ship to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Her successful escape, despite the Washingtons’ persistent efforts to recapture her, stands as a powerful testament to her bravery and the enduring legacy of Black resistance in the North. The designation of Ona Judge Day formally acknowledges the systemic injustices of the nation’s founding and the individual courage required to challenge them.