Boochever, Annie, authorPeratrovich, Roy, Jr., authorUniversity of Alaska Press, publisher2022-04-252022-04-252019https://hdl.handle.net/10217/234822Includes index.No Natives or Dogs Allowed' blared the storefront sign at the young Tlingit Indian girl. The sting of those words would stay with Elizabeth Peratrovich all her life. Years later, a seasoned fighter for equality, she would deliver her own eloquent message. One that helped change Alaska and the nation forever. Tensions could not have been higher in Gallery B of the Alaska Territorial Senate. Alaska Natives and non-Natives pressed shoulder to shoulder or stood teetering on chairs to peer over the avalanche of heads that flowed into the hallway. They had come to hear debate on the first anti-discrimination bill in America, almost 20 years before passage of the United States Civil Rights Act. One speaker remained. Now thirty-three years old, Elizabeth Peratrovich placed her knitting next to her young daughter and rose. Dignified and confident in white velvet gloves, stylish green dress and matching hat, she made her way slowly down the crowded aisle. The audience strained forward, drawn by her calm but powerful presence. She turned to face the assembled legislators. Fighter in Velvet Gloves traces Elizabeth's life, from birth and adoption to leadership in a battle for civil rights now celebrated annually throughout Alaska on Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Author Annie Boochever grew up in Juneau, Alaska. She and her family knew many of the Alaskans, including political leaders, who played key roles in Elizabeth's life and in the battle for Alaska Native people's equality. Written in collaboration with Elizabeth's eldest son, Roy Peratrovich Jr., Fighter in Velvet Gloves brings to life for readers, age ten through young adult, the story of an inspirational Alaskan and American hero.--Provided by publisher.Prologue by Roy Peratrovich Jr. -- Elizabeth Peratrovich's Parents -- Growing Up the Alaska Native Way -- School Days -- Citizenship, a Terrible Sign, and Kayhi -- Marriage and Klawock -- The Capital City -- Separate Schools -- The Native Vote -- Meeting with the Governor -- The Orphanage -- Laying the Groundwork by Airplane -- Grand Presidents -- The Big Day -- Carefully Chosen Words -- What Happened Next -- A Quiet Ending -- Epilogue -- Afterword -- Timeline.born digitalbooksengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.All rights reserved. User is responsible for compliance. Please contact University Press of Colorado at https://upcolorado.com/our-books/rights-and-permissions for use information.Peratrovich, Elizabeth, 1911-1958Tlingit Indians -- Alaska -- BiographyIndians of North America -- Civil rightsTextAccess is limited to the Adams State University, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Community College of Denver, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University Denver, Regis University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University and Western Colorado University communities only.