THE STORY OF NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY AND THE HUGUENOT LEGACY THAT LEADS TO VENITA BENITEZ
American Descendant of Slavery
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| Venita Benitez Reflects On Her Legacy |
National - Every year on February 1, the United States observes National Freedom Day, a national observance established by Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1948. The date marks the signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery and opened a new chapter in the nation’s long struggle toward liberty.
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| President Harry S. Truman Signing The Proclamation Establishing National Freedom Day |
National Freedom Day is a moment to reflect on what freedom truly means — not as a single event, but as a journey shaped by countless individuals who fought, fled, sacrificed, and persevered so that future generations could live with dignity and choice. It honors every story of resilience, every act of courage, and every family that carried the idea of freedom forward, even when the world tried to silence them.
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| The Original Founder Of National Freedom Day Movement, Major Richard Robert Wright Sr. |
It is within this national context — a day dedicated to the meaning of freedom — that the story of the Chapelier – Chappelear family becomes especially powerful.
The lineage begins in the ancient Protestant stronghold of Uzès, Languedoc, where Rev. Louis Chapelier served as a minister during one of the darkest periods for French Huguenots. When the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685, ministers like him were targeted first. Their churches were destroyed, their families threatened, and their faith criminalized. Yet Rev. Chapelier stood firm, anchoring a family whose courage would echo across continents and centuries.
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His son, Dr. Isaac Chapelier, inherited that same resolve. Born in Uzès in 1672, he fled France as a refugee and rebuilt his life in London, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1702. A trained surgeon, he married fellow Huguenot refugee Anne Arnaud and raised six children in exile.
His son, Isaac Chapelier Jr., baptized in the Huguenot Church of London in 1698, carried the family’s journey forward. He immigrated to America before 1730 and settled in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, becoming the first of the Chapelier line to establish permanent roots in the colonies. From him descended the Chappelear families of Virginia — families who worked the land, defended their communities, and helped shape the early American frontier. Among them was Unsung Revolutionary Patriot Elias Chappelear of Culpeper County, a grandfather across several generations whose life reflected the endurance and civic spirit of early America.
Across three centuries, this lineage traveled from persecution to refuge, from refuge to opportunity, and from opportunity to leadership. It is a story of faith, survival, reinvention, and quiet strength — a story that refused to be erased.
And today, that story finds its living voice in Venita Benitez, the direct descendant of this Huguenot line and the President of National Freedom Day. In her role, she carries forward the very principles her ancestors fought to preserve: freedom of conscience, freedom from persecution, and the right to rebuild a life in a new land.
Her leadership is not accidental — it is the culmination of everything that came before her.
The minister who stood firm in Uzès.
The surgeon who rebuilt his life in exile.
The immigrant who crossed an ocean.
The Virginia families who endured and contributed.
Their courage lives in her.
Their legacy speaks through her.
Their journey leads directly to her.
Venita Benitez is the living continuation of a 300‑year Huguenot story — a story of freedom, resilience, and the unbroken will of a family that refused to disappear.
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Lastly, It is undeniable that the Huguenot presence and culture has had a powerful impact on the freedoms we enjoy as Americans today. For instance a number of our US Presidents have French Huguenot ancestries. Presidents with Huguenot ancestry • George Washington • Ulysses S. Grant • Theodore Roosevelt • Franklin D. Roosevelt • William Howard Taft • Harry S. Truman • Lyndon B. Johnson • Gerald Ford These leaders shaped American identity, law, and culture. Huguenots brought ideas that later became core American principles: • freedom of religion • separation of church and state • resistance to tyranny • equality before God • literacy and education • skilled craftsmanship • entrepreneurship These ideas didn’t disappear — they became the backbone of American identity. This book exists because our family refused to disappear. Ms. Benitez shares "It exists because Carmen — CB Deane —believed our story deserved to be told, and she stood with me and I stood with her through every page, every memory, every painful truth, and every moment of triumph."
When we wrote Erased on Paper, we weren’t just documenting history — we were reclaiming it. For More Info On National Freedom Day Tap Here Checkout Venita's Legendary Article On Her Open Letter to the Queen of England Tap Here To See More Articles By Venita Benitez Tap Here |
New Self-Help Book “Blame It on the Feel of Pain” About Detangling From Past Pain
Get ready for a transformational journey toward inner peace as indie author Max W. Miller’s new self-help release, Blame It On The Feel Of Pain, inspires readers in a witty, down-to-earth book. Truth and compassion are foretold, using poetic frames called ‘The Wises,’ and the help of opinionated little emojis bringing laughter and thought-provoking conclusions throughout.
The author encourages her readers, whom she also calls partners, to stop wrestling with the hard knocks of the past. She expresses how voluntarily walking back into time precedes trauma healing. Confronting lingering pains is a step toward strength and hope for the future. ‘Blame It’ delves into the author’s life experiences, bringing to life the importance of using Full Circle Moments to find resolutions.
Throughout Blame It On The Feel Of Pain, the reader grows to understand through a unique interpretation that what we are destined to become grows out of the years we’ve already traveled. Further, our future hinges on how we address the pains of the past. Other expressions focus on how desires in the present are carved out of having a clear vision that old, lingering strongholds must be defeated. A history of suffering is a prerequisite for becoming fed up enough to demand enjoyment now!
To Get On the Road To Overcoming Your Trauma See Her Exclusive Interview
Order Her Book Blame It On The Feel Of Pain
Published Author in Her Family
Alexis Donald, MD, a trailblazing African American medical doctor and advocate for empowering young minds, is thrilled to announce the release of her highly anticipated children’s book, Mommy I Want to be a Doctor. Based on her own remarkable journey, this captivating story encourages children to dream big, believe in themselves, and fearlessly pursue their aspirations.
As the first medical doctor in her family, Dr. Alexis has always been driven by a passion for medicine and a desire to make a difference in the world. Her inspiring tale begins with her childhood dreams and takes readers on a heartfelt journey of determination, resilience, and triumph. To Order Her Book Click Here or on Amazon.
To see our exclusive interview with Dr. Donald Tap here.
nZinga Austin is also the Co-publisher of Our Black News Scoop and Southeast Queens Scoop. The documentary of about 1/2 hr long is getting rave reviews.
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