The Rhode Island House of Representatives has introduced a resolution to proclaim February 6th, 2025, as "New England Freedmen's Aid Society Day" in the state. This recognition honors the Freedmen's Aid Society, established in 1859 by the American Missionary Association (AMA) during the lead-up to the Civil War. The Society played a crucial role in educating recently freed slaves and advocating for their rights by organizing teachers from the North to establish schools in the South, providing essential resources like food and clothing, and significantly contributing to the increase in literacy rates among African-Americans.

The resolution highlights the impact of the Freedmen's Aid Society, which founded over 500 schools and colleges, enabling many freedmen to gain education and pursue professional careers as teachers, nurses, and community leaders. The House of Representatives aims to commemorate this important historical contribution and has directed the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Rhode Island NAACP.

Introduced by Representatives Furtado, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Cruz, and Chippendale, the bill was introduced on February 6th and has been read and passed in the House.