Talk remembers Emancipation Proclamation

A local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation with a talk on how it changed history presented by Christopher Jimenez y West, an instructor at Pasadena City College.

The Martin Severance Chapter, which has members from Glendale, Pasadena and surrounding communities, met on Jan. 5 at the Pasadena home of Mary Ellen Mohler.

Jimenez y West told members that in the latter part of 1862, President Abraham Lincoln formulated the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery, and it eventually paved the way for the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Issued on Sept. 22, 1862, the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on Jan. 1, 1863.

Members came away wanting to sign up for one of his PCC American history classes, said member Gage Hewes.

“His dynamic talk made us understand both the aspirations and contradictions of the country’s founding beliefs on slavery,” she said.

Jimenez y West is a native Angeleno who received his doctorate in American history from USC.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children.

The Martin Severance Chapter was established in 1914 and is open to women 18 years or older regardless of race, religion or ethnic background who can prove lineage descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. For more information contact Adina Roberts, regent, at martin.severance.dar@gmail.com.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.