HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6221        FILED ON: 6/10/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bud L. Williams

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
 Court assembled:

 The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing and Remembrance in the Commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6221        FILED ON: 6/10/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing and Remembrance in the Commonwealth.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

 Chapter 6 of General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 15FFFFFFF the following section:-

 Section 15GGGGGGG. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart August 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance, in recognition of the courageous contribution of Elizabeth Freeman, an illiterate and enslaved Black woman - Known in 1781 as "Mum Bett" - who sued for her freedom at great personal risk and won, and who's case, Brom and Bett v. Ashley, was a spark that ignited the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts by demonstrating the power of the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution, which declares that all are born free and equal.