Please sign our petition urging Yale University to confer an honorary degree on Rev. Dr. James W.C. Pennington, the first known black student at Yale, as a form of restitution for the racist treatment he endured while studying at Yale Seminary in the 1830s. Pennington was excluded from speaking in class, borrowing books from the library, and enrolling formally as a student due to his race. As organizers of the Pennington Legacy Group, we ask that Yale reckon with its past and provide meaningful restitution for its injustices. Join us in honoring Pennington's legacy of pursuing knowledge and fighting for equality and justice.

To learn more about Pennington and our efforts, please see:

Open Letter to President Salovey and Vice President Schall: https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2023/03/28/letters-3-27-open-letter-on-awarding-pennington-a-degree/

A Call For Justice: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqbatjGAZ87/

Yale Graduate & Professional Student Senate Resolution: www.gpsenate.yale.edu/resolutions/pennington-degree

Speech by Noah Humphrey after Resolution passed: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10uqKwzhUA94GAzI-jiXm-dIJQyYaBTXp/view

Pennington FDP 1851 Article, Pennington speaking about his “oppression” at Yale Seminary (p. 3): https://collections.library.yale.edu/catalog/2041721

Yale Pennington Fellowship Announcement: https://president.yale.edu/president/statements/announcing-pennington-fellowship#:~:text=The%20Pennington%20Fellowship%20is%20a,scholarships%20at%20any%20given%20time

Pennington Resolution Press Release Article: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18PTWcY-4j-SIkOYy4eGLlNtZVepF-e3L5b62XcI9nUE/edit?usp=sharing

University and YDS Positions on awarding Pennington a posthumous degree: https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2022/04/21/push-to-award-yales-first-black-student-a-posthumous-degree-faces-administrative-setbacks%EF%BF%BC/