Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice

The Pauli Murray Center celebrates and uplifts trans and non-binary people today and every day! Just a few weeks ago, the federal government disabled at least one webpage, and scrubbed language related to Murray’s transgender and queer identities on the National Park Service (NPS) website. Murray’s legacy has been obscured alongside other figures and sites recognized by NPS, including the Stonewall National Monument, Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and others on a still-growing list. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community have always been a part of the rich fabric of our society. Rev. Dr. Murray exists in a lineage of LGBTQIA+ Southerners who have advanced social justice work on a national scale, and whose contributions have gone on to shape history. Erasing this truth at the federal level censures American history, and compromises the work of transgender and queer activists who stand in Murray’s wake today. On this Trans Day of Visibility, we encourage you to advocate for the rights and visibility of trans folks in our community! 🏳️🌈

✨ We're hiring a public history intern! ✨ The PMC Public History Intern will assist with enlivening the interpretation of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray’s newly renovated childhood home in Durham, North Carolina. They will work under the guidance of the Public Historian and other PMC staff to reshape the Center’s inaugural exhibit “Pauli Murray: Coming Home,” and to activate Murray’s childhood home through interpretive programs and experiences. Some in-person work will be required. 📅 Application Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025 At 5:00 P.M. Interested in this exciting opportunity? Learn more and apply here -> https://lnkd.in/gfnfvsqj

✨ Join us for an inspiring keynote by Angela Thorpe Mason, our Executive Director, as she highlights the extraordinary life of Pauli Murray, with a special focus on her groundbreaking contributions as an author. 📚

Don't miss our first ever Pauli Murray Dog Walk, a fundraising opportunity to support social justice programs at the Pauli Murray Center. Tickets are still available here https://lnkd.in/eYbcHTap

In her February reflection, Our Executive Director, Angela Thorpe Mason, comments that, "time and again, Pauli reminds us that the effort to build an America that so many of us envision is a cyclical experiment, characterized by cruelty, pain, defeat, wonder, victory, and joy. This is both the reward and consequence of building a just future for a society that is inherently 'morally bankrupt.' However, Pauli also gives us strategies to meet the moment." Read the full reflection here: https://lnkd.in/e566_XfS

The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice condemns the federal government’s efforts to erase Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, and their invaluable contributions to our society, from the digital record. The federal government has disabled at least one webpage, and scrubbed language related to Murray’s transgender and queer identities on others, on the National Park Service (NPS) website. Murray’s legacy has been obscured alongside other figures and sites recognized by NPS, including the Stonewall National Monument, Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and others on a still-growing list. How you can help: 📞 Call or email your Congressperson. Express your condemnation and outrage, and let them know that you would like for these NPS webpages, and language related to Pauli’s transgender and queer identities, to be restored. 🏛️Visit the Center. We take seriously our charge to activate Pauli’s life, work, and legacy for the benefit of all. Your engagement supports that work. 💸Support the Center with a donation. Your gifts steward our ability to provide access to Pauli’s story through tours and field trips, and activate their activism through LGBTQIA+ legal clinics. 📢 Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to advocate on behalf of the Pauli Murray Center!

Our first Public Service Dialogue of the semester was a success. SiPS Academy students had the opportunity to engage with panelists from the North Carolina Justice Center, Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, and North Carolina For The People to discuss the role of social justice non-profits in creating lasting change. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more impactful dialogues this semester.

The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice is excited to welcome Danielle Buckingham to the team as our new Public Historian! 🎉 Danielle Buckingham, affectionately known as Dani Bee, is a Chicago-born, Mississippi-raised writer. She was most recently a Black Joy Reporter for Reckon News where she uplifted the stories of Black writers, artists, and changemakers across the country. A 2021 Lambda Literary fellow, Dani’s work has been published in Midnight & Indigo Literary Magazine, MadameNoire, Raising Mothers, and elsewhere. She earned a Master of Arts in both Sociology and Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi where she collected oral histories on Black Queer Millennials from or living in the American South. Dani currently serves as a Prose Editor for SISITORIES, a queer Black feminist/womanist literary magazine. When she isn’t writing or being a full-time cat parent, you can find her chatting about everything from books to spirituality on her youtube channel.

Join us for the inaugural Pauli Murray Dog Walk—a celebration of Pauli Murray's love for their furry friends and a day of walking in solidarity for social justice! We’ll be strolling through the beautiful West End, raising support for social justice programming at the Pauli Murray Center. It’s a perfect opportunity for both humans and dogs to unite for a great cause. 🐕💙 Do you have a pup with a passion for justice? Bring them along for this paws-itively special day! 🐾✨ No dog? No problem! You can still participate with a “stand-in” foam dog by your side. 🐶🤝 Advanced registration is required. Sign up at the link in our bio! Early bird pricing ends February 23! *While this is a fundraising event and an opportunity to invest in an incredible historic space, it’s important to us that everyone is able to participate. If finances are preventing you and your pup from coming out on March 15th, reach out to us about mutual aid opportunities. We’d love to see how we can help one another! #PawsForJustice #WestEndWalk #SocialJustice #PauliMurrayCenter #DogLoversForJustice

Celebrate Black History Month with the Pauli Murray Center! This February, we’re offering exciting ways to connect with the life and legacy of Pauli Murray, an iconic civil rights leader. Don’t miss out on the chance to learn about her remarkable contributions! ✨ Explore Our Grounds Visit the sacred grounds where Pauli Murray was raised. Our outdoor exhibits are free and open year-round—an opportunity to engage with history firsthand. 🗣️ Black History Month Guided Tour Join Executive Director Angela Thorpe Mason for a special tour focused on Pauli’s impact on civil rights and social justice. 📚 Hybrid Book Club: Proud Shoes Dive into Pauli's powerful memoir, Proud Shoes, in our hybrid book club—an opportunity to explore her story and legacy. 🫂 Private Group Tours Bring your group for a tailored tour of the Pauli Murray Center (15+ people required to reserve). ❤️ Support Black History Preservation The Pauli Murray Center is one of only 3% of national historic landmarks honoring African American experiences. Help preserve her legacy with a donation today! 🏳️🌈 Durham Queer Trivia at Arcana Join us at Arcana, one of the last surviving lesbian bars, for a fun night of trivia focused on Pauli Murray’s legacy and Durham’s LGBTQ+ history. 🚗 Let Us Come to You! Invite our team to speak at your corporate meeting, church group, or community event to share Pauli Murray’s inspiring story! For more details, visit the links in our bio. Let’s honor Pauli Murray’s legacy this Black History Month! #PauliMurray #BlackHistoryMonth #PauliMurrayCenter #PreserveBlackHistory