Before 1812, many Americans didn't hang the US flag as a symbol of national pride. It wasn’t as much of a thing as it is today, and before Old Glory was created, a different flag was flown. So how did we get to today's flag, and more importantly, what does it have to do with Grace Wisher, a young Black girl from Baltimore?
Around 1810, Grace's mother, Jenny Wisher, apprenticed her 10-year-old daughter to the flagmaker Mary Pickersgill, possibly to help cover household expenses and to teach Grace a marketable skill. Mrs. Wisher received $20, with a promise of $12 at the end of the apprenticeship. Three years later, Grace would help Pickersgill with her most important commission.
Pickersgill was commissioned to create a flag to celebrate the US victory over Great Britain in the War of 1812. For six weeks, the hands of a free 13-year-old Black girl would stitch the Star-Spangled Banner. Like much of Black history, Wisher's contributions never made it into the history books. But don't get it twisted; this story is about more than the flag.
It's a reminder that we've been here since before the beginning. Our stories, especially those of Black women and girls, have been intentionally ignored.
We have always been here, contributing to and building the very fabric of this country. We cannot be erased from it.