Elizabeth Peratrovich

            Elizabeth Peratrovich was born in Petersburg and adopted quickly by the Wanamakers. The father Andrew was a minister and travelled frequently on church business. Elizabeth often went with him and heard him speak. She acquired her eloquence in speech from him. She married Roy Peratrovich and they moved to Juneau look for better opportunities.

            When they arrived they faced major discrimination in the work force, housing, and social opportunity. Roy and Elizabeth joined the Alaska Native Brotherhood and the Alaska Native Sisterhood respectively. They lobbied for equal rights and an anti-discrimination bill to signed by the Senators. Elizabeth attended senate and spoke about to the Congress about passing the bill, despite major disapproval from some of the senators. She won over the congress and the bill passed, making the Anti-Discrimination Act one of the first such laws in the US.