Philadelphia will celebrate Ona Judge Day to honor Martha Washington’s enslaved maid who made a daring escape to freedom

Ona Judge was 1 of 9 people George Washington owned when he lived in the President’s House in Philadelphia. The city will recognize her legacy each May 21.

By: Timothy Welbeck, Temple University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: May 20, 2026

Words: 1,337

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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By Timothy Welbeck, Temple University

On the evening of May 21, 1796, Ona Judge made the daring decision to free herself.

Considering the prominence of her owner, the laws of the time and the dangerous trek to New Hampshire, a place where she could discreetly live freely, the act carried remarkable risk. Nevertheless, she slipped out of President George Washington’s home in Philadelphia undetected while the first family dined.

The house, then …

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