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By the People Bulletin

NEW! Transcribe the papers of Civil War soldier Christian Fleetwood 

Meet the Fleetwoods! Celebrate Black History Month in February by transcribing the Christian Fleetwood Papers. This campaign documents Fleetwood's military career as a Union soldier during the Civil War and his activities as a leading African American citizen of Washington, D.C., as well as the lives of his wife Sara Iredell Fleetwood and other family members.

Christian Fleetwood (1840-1914) was born to a free African American family in Baltimore and enlisted in the 4th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Infantry in August 1863. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions in the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm in September 1864. After the war, Fleetwood worked for the federal and Washington, D.C. governments and co-founded the D.C. Colored National Guard and Colored High School Cadet Corps.

Christian's wife Sara Iredell (1841-1908) was a mother, teacher, and social leader. Late in life, she graduated in the first class of Freedmen’s Hospital Training School for Nurses, then became its first superintendent and the first Black woman on the D.C. Nurses’ Examining Board.

January Volunteer Office Hours on Jan. 29

Join us on tomorrow, Thursday, January 29 from 3-4pm EST, for our next virtual volunteer office hours session! Community Managers will share updates about the program and preview upcoming campaigns. Most of our time during office hours is reserved for you to ask questions about transcription, talk to other volunteers, and share what you've learned. Everyone is welcome - from transcription-curious to long-timers! Register to receive a Teams link for the call. 

Transcribe for Douglass Day on Feb. 13 

Our friends at Douglass Day are getting ready to celebrate another day of service to Black history in honor of Frederick Douglass' chosen birthday. This year, they invite you to work on the Colored Conventions Project and join in a virtual program on February 13. By the People has collaborated with Douglass Day in the past, including to transcribe the Mary Church Terrill papers in 2021, the Frederick Douglass papers in 2024, and selections from across the Library's collections in 2025. Learn more and register to attend. 

Stay warm!

Abby, Carlyn, and Lauren