É«¿Ø´«Ã½'s Archives & Special Collections is proud to present an historic artifact that documents the evolution of suffrage in the United States. The gold Thomas Mundy Peterson Voting Medal commemorates Peterson's historic distinction as the first African American to cast a vote under the newly ratified 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution on March 31, 1870.

Fourteen years later, on May 30, 1884—then known as Decoration Day and now observed as Memorial Day—the citizens of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, honored Peterson's courageous act by raising $70, the equivalent of approximately $2,500 today, to commission a gold medallion in recognition of his contribution to American history.

Featuring a profile of President Abraham Lincoln, the medal celebrated not only Peterson's individual bravery but also the hopes and aspirations of newly enfranchised Black Americans during the post-Reconstruction era. Historical accounts note that Peterson cherished the medal deeply and "never considered himself properly dressed without it affixed to his left breast."

Today, the medal is a part of Xavier University's Archives & Special Collections and is nationally recognized as a tangible reminder of the enduring effort for voting rights and civic participation. The medal has been loaned for the opening exhibition of the Obama Presidential Center and has been on exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The medal and its significance were recently highlighted in an interview on a local television station.

As an institution with a longstanding mission to educate and empower leaders and communities across the nation, Xavier is honored to contribute to an exhibition celebrating the individuals and movements that have expanded democracy in the United States.

The inclusion of the Peterson Medal in the university archives reflects Xavier's commitment to preserving and sharing stories that illuminate the Black experience and the nation's ongoing pursuit of justice, equality, and inclusion. Through the stewardship of artifacts such as the Peterson Medal, Xavier's Archives & Special Collections continues to play a vital role in safeguarding history for future generations.

The Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal will remain on display at the Obama Presidential Center through Spring 2028.

É«¿Ø´«Ã½ Thomas Mundy Peterson

Born in 1824, Thomas Mundy Peterson made history on March 31, 1870, when he became the first African American to vote under the protections of the 15th Amendment. A resident of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Peterson cast a vote that represented a landmark moment in American democracy and the expansion of voting rights following the Civil War.