Williamsburg Sun

William & Mary honors pathbreaking history and leaders at Charter Day

An annual tradition recognizing William & Mary’s founding in 1693 through British royal charter, this year’s Charter Day features opportunities to reflect on the past and observe history in the making. 

In addition to honoring the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and one of the commonwealth’s leading philanthropists, W&M will be recognizing the start of the 300th anniversary of the Brafferton Indian School. Delegations from area tribes will attend the ceremony, and portions of the W&M charter will be read in various Native languages.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield will serve as speaker at the 2023 Charter Day ceremony, scheduled for Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. in Kaplan Arena. She will also receive an honorary degree at the event, along with Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley Ukrop ’61, a former member of the Board of Visitors and William & Mary Foundation and longtime advocate for education in Virginia.

Earlier in the day, the Bray School will move from its current W&M location on Prince George Street to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. The school is the oldest extant Colonial-era building in the United States dedicated to the education of Black children. A special event is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Arts Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

“During Charter Day, William & Mary affirms the transformative impact of access to education in a pluralistic democracy,” said President Katherine A. Rowe.

“The Bray School move and Brafferton tercentennial offer unique opportunities to tell a more forthright account of the founding of the United States – so that this nation’s origin story can evolve to become every citizen’s shared story.”

A career diplomat who has served under presidents in two political parties, Thomas-Greenfield left retirement in 2021 to represent the U.S. at the U.N. Her previous roles include assistant secretary of state for African affairs, director general of the foreign service and director of human resources for the state department.

Original source can be found here