Such was the case for the Altadena Historical Society’s Juneteenth ceremony to honor the courageous but little-known life of teacher and activist Ellen Garrison Jackson Clark. Lifestyle How a forgotten Black activist fueled a California city’s racial reckoning Ellen Garrison Jackson Clark, the daughter of a runaway slave, was a 19th century Rosa Parks, an early civil rights activist whose work was largely forgotten. AdvertisementI almost didn’t see the entry for the Altadena Historical Society’s celebration of life for Clark on Juneteenth. The marker was made possible by generous contributions from community members.”Once I began unraveling her story I learned that her civil rights work — at least, the work we know about — had nothing to do with California. The more I learn about Clark, the more frustrated I am by how little we actually know — not even what she looked like.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 30, 2021 12:00 UTC