PRESIDENT’S NOTE
It was almost eight years into my service of helping Judge Mason make the Freedom Suits Memorial a reality that I learned the amazing back story about how very close we all came to possibly losing the vast majority of the St. Louis freedom suits, forever!
Being true to his modest character, Dr. Kenneth Winn was not quick to agree to my request that he was the one to tell the story of this wonderful rescue mission. But it was clear to me-as it will be to you- that he and the Missouri State Archives led the way in what evolved into a group effort by an impressive array of those who joined after learning of the compelling stories of the courageous freedom suits plaintiffs and those who helped them. Not surprisingly, they all shared the vision that this crucially important, but little known, chapter of American history must be illuminated- that the St. Louis freedom suits plaintiffs needed to be remembered; for them and for us.
It was being able to read these rediscovered court files containing the true accounts of iron-willed bravery of the plaintiffs that inspired Judge David Mason to decide there should be a memorial in their honor.
Paul Venker
President
Freedom Suits Memorial Foundation
July 2024
FREEDOM SUITS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION 