Friday Focus: Celebrating unity and civil rights
Governor Gruening (seated) signs the anti-discrimination act of 1945. Witnessing the signing are (left to right) O. D. Cochran, Elizabeth Peratrovich, Edward Anderson, Norman Walker, and Roy Peratrovich.
Jan. 16, 2026
—&Բ;By Kaydee Van Flein, Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability executive director
As we head into the long weekend, I find myself reflecting upon this upcoming Monday, which celebrates both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Alaska Civil Rights Day. This day is more than just a break in our work week and academic calendar. It is an opportunity to honor our shared history, the people who demanded change and our ongoing commitment to foster a community where every voice belongs and matters.
While the nation reflects on King’s dream, we in Alaska also celebrate our local civil rights champions, whose bravery transformed our state long before the national movement took center stage. A brief look at our history shows many powerhouses who helped bring Alaska's needs and voices to the forefront.
When I think of civil rights in Alaska, the first name that comes to my mind is Elizabeth Peratrovich. Her iconic 1945 testimony before the Territorial Senate, challenging the “civilized” men in the room to uphold their own Bill of Rights, led to the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. This was the first such law in the United States, passed nearly 20 years before the Federal Civil Rights Act.
Quickly following Peratrovich is William Paul. He was known as the “father of Alaska Native Land claims”. Paul was the first Alaska Native attorney and a relentless advocate who secured the right for Alaska Natives to vote in 1922.
Speaking of firsts, Mahala Dickerson was the first African American woman to practice law in Alaska. Dickerson won a landmark case for female faculty at UA who were, at the time, paid less than their male counterparts.
These are just a few of the many people whose work continues to inspire and impact our daily lives. Here at UAF, we honor their work by continuing their efforts through recognition of our own history and our continued mission. UAF sits on the lands of the Dena people of the Lower Tanana River, whose values and traditions created the foundation for our community. As a result, UAF values a campus culture of compassion, kindness and respect. We understand that our differences are often some of our greatest strengths.
Monday is more than a mark on a calendar. It serves as a mirror, asking us: How are we moving beyond seeing differences to actually seeking understanding?
I challenge us all to step outside the familiar and listen — truly listen —t o the stories that differ from our own. A community of belonging isn't built on slogans; it is forged in the quiet moments where we choose to learn instead of judge. Those moments can become a daily practice of shared growth.
As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Alaska Civil Rights Day, I encourage you to reflect on how we can continue to build a community that honors the legacy of those who fought for civil rights, both in the Lower 48 and right here in the Far North. Let us treat one another with the dignity, respect and kindness that every member of our community deserves.
Thank you for all you do to make UAF a welcoming place.
Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of UAF's leadership team every week. On occasion, a guest writer is invited to contribute a column.