On behalf of Voices of Black Grandmothers (VOBG), I am writing to respectfully request an official Proclamation recognizing February 7th as National Black Grandmothers Day.

My name is Tonya Jackson, and I am the founder of Voices of Black Grandmothers (VOBG) — a movement created to honor, uplift, and preserve the stories of Black grandmothers across America. I founded National Black Grandmothers Day on February 7th as a way to publicly recognize the women who have quietly held families and communities together for generations.

As a grandmother, of 9, myself, I’ve seen firsthand how our love, resilience, and prayers sustain families through loss, change, and challenge. I’ve also witnessed how often that strength goes unnoticed — how grandmothers raise grandchildren, keep legacies alive, and still rarely hear “thank you.”

This day isn’t just about me. It’s about the countless grandmothers who raised us, stood in the gap, and gave from hearts that never ran empty. It’s time our nation pauses to say we see you, we honor you, and we thank you.

That’s why I’m asking our local and national leaders — from Georgia, Maryland, and Illinois — to make National Black Grandmothers Day an officially recognized holiday. Because behind every strong family, there’s a grandmother who never gave up.

Founded in 2021, Voices of Black Grandmothers has become a national movement celebrating the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of Black grandmothers—women who have held families and communities together through generations. Our mission is to honor their legacy, uplift their voices, and ensure their contributions are recognized as vital to the fabric of American life.

Black grandmothers have long been the moral and emotional anchors of their families, often raising grandchildren, leading community programs, and preserving our shared cultural and spiritual heritage. Yet, their extraordinary impact has gone largely unrecognized on a national level.

Recognizing February 7th as National Black Grandmothers Day will not only celebrate their legacy but also inspire a renewed commitment to family, faith, and community values. Through annual brunches, storytelling events, and intergenerational gatherings, VOBG encourages families across the nation to pause, honor, and thank the grandmothers who have shaped their lives.

This petition calls upon U.S. Congress, as well as the governors and mayors of Georgia, Maryland, and Illinois, to officially recognize February 7th as National Black Grandmothers Day.

From Atlanta to Baltimore to Chicago, Black grandmothers have carried the weight of generations — raising children, preserving culture, and holding families together through love and resilience. Their stories deserve to be told, and their legacy deserves a national platform.

We invite leaders such as Sen. Raphael Warnock, Gov. Wes Moore, and Gov. JB Pritzker to stand with us in making history by recognizing the women whose prayers, power, and perseverance have built America’s families.

HOW WE HAVE AND WILL USE THIS HOLIDAY:

SECTION 1: PURPOSE & VISION

The Vision
National Black Grandmothers Day (February 7th) honors the strength, love, and legacy of Black grandmothers whose faith, resilience, and wisdom have sustained generations.
Beyond celebration, this day is a platform for advocacy, awareness, and action — highlighting the vital role grandmothers play as caregivers, educators, and cultural keepers.

The Mission
To ensure Black grandmothers receive the recognition, support, and resources they deserve through storytelling, community partnerships, and public policy awareness.

 
SECTION 2: ADVOCACY THEMES & ACTIONS
1. Kinship Care & Caregiver Support
Goal: Advocate for resources for grandmothers raising grandchildren.
Actions:

Host a “Caregiver Conversation” with your Department of Family & Children Services.
Encourage cities to create Grandfamily Resource Hubs.
Share stories of grandmothers raising children due to parental incarceration, addiction, or death.
Talking Point:

“Thousands of grandmothers are the invisible safety net of America’s families. They deserve the same support given to traditional foster parents.”
 

2. Health & Wellness for Grandmothers
Goal: Promote physical and mental health for grandmothers and caregivers.
Actions:

Partner with local hospitals for free screenings or Wellness Brunches.
Promote mental health awareness through “Crown Care” workshops.
Invite local Black nurses, therapists, or dietitians as guest speakers.
Talking Point:

“Black women are often the caregivers of everyone but themselves. This day reminds us: her health is her legacy.”
 
3. Financial & Digital Empowerment
Goal: Equip grandmothers with tools for independence and entrepreneurship.
Actions:

Host workshops on digital literacy, budgeting, and entrepreneurship.
Create a “Tech-Savvy Grandma” challenge for learning basic apps and business tools.
Partner with banks and nonprofits for financial education sessions.
Talking Point:

“Grandmothers deserve the tools to thrive — not just survive — in today’s digital world.”
 
4. Storytelling & Legacy Preservation
Goal: Encourage every family to document their grandmother’s story.
Actions:

Launch the “52 Stories Challenge” – families write or record one story about their grandmother each week.
Partner with local libraries and schools for oral history events.
Use social media with the hashtag #BehindEveryStory to share stories publicly.
Talking Point:

“When we record her story, we reclaim our history.”
 
5. Policy Awareness & Recognition
Goal: Gain proclamations and policy visibility at every level.
Actions:

Request city and state proclamations each February 7 (use your packet).
Write to members of Congress urging support for a national observance bill.
Present your petition signatures at city council meetings.
Talking Point:

“Recognition is the first step toward reform. When our government honors her, our society begins to see her.”
  
With sincere gratitude and respect,