When people think of Feb. 14, they typically think of pink hearts, candy, chocolate and love letters. That date is also the chosen birthday of Fredrick Douglass, a 19th century activist who fought for civil rights. His exact birth date remains unknown, but around the nation, schools celebrate this historic figure on Valentine’s Day, also known as Douglass Day.
Douglass Day is a nationwide program that honors Douglass’ legacy through collective transcription to improve access to Black scholars’ and activists’ written works. So-called “transcribe-a-thon” participants will gather to work side by side to transcribe Douglass’ digitized correspondence.
“Douglass Day was first introduced to Marquette in 2018,” says Dr. Tara Baillargeon, dean of Raynor Library. “The event was brought to Marquette by a graduate student from the history department, Lisa Lamson, who was also working in the Ott Memorial Writing Center.”
Participants in the transcribe-a-thon event are given literature from the Library of Congress. This year, participants will transcribe the “African American Perspectives Collection,” which is composed of pieces from the “African American Pamphlet Collection” and the “Daniel A. P. Murray Collection.”
Transcribe-a-thons are “an intellectual act of activism,” says Dr. Jenn Fishman, associate professor of English and co-director of the Ott Memorial Writing Center. “It is a way of resisting ongoing efforts to erase Black history, accomplishment and joy.”
Mary Oates, a senior studying English literature and classical studies, has participated in the Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon in past years. Oates says her favorite part was “working with the old documents and archives because of their historic value and their aesthetic.”
As a classical studies major, Oates explains that she spends a lot of time working with archived documents and studying many aspects of history. “Studying history doesn’t always feel tangible,” Oates says. “But being able to transcribe, I felt like I was able to contribute to help others learn about history.”
Baillargeon explains that “this transcribe-a-thon is also a reminder that even the simplest literate activity — rewriting someone else’s words — can make a difference because it makes others’ ideas and voices more widely accessible.”
Participants, like Oates, explain how fascinating it can be to interact with history this way.
“You might not always work on the most interesting documents, but it’s cool to connect the documents to contemporary times, even if mundane,” Oates says.
Nationwide, the Douglass Day Transcribe-A-Thon brought in nearly 16,000 volunteers, online and in person.
“The transcribe-a-thon transforms what might otherwise be an isolated academic act into a chance for the Marquette community to come together and bring new life into historical documents,” Fishman explains.
All members of the Marquette community are welcome and encouraged to participate this year. A link to register can be found here, or join on the day of the event, Friday, Feb. 14, on the first floor of Raynor Library and the Lemonis Center for Student Success from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“As participants work closely with documents, they feel a personal connection to the individuals from the past,” Baillargeon says. “The event also serves as a catalyst for community engagement, bringing people together both on campus and across the country to foster a strong sense of connection as the community works together towards a shared goal.”
