Martha S. Jones
@marthasjones.bsky.social
Historian | Writer | Lapsed Lawyer | Professor JHU | Director Hard Histories | Author The Trouble of Color, Vanguard, Birthright Citizens | [email protected]
Pinned
Martha S. Jones
@marthasjones.bsky.social
· Jun 30
Johns Hopkins historian Martha Jones cited in SCOTUS ruling affirming birthright citizenship
In a 6-3 decision, the court reaffirmed the long-held principle that children born in the U.S. are citizens
hub.jhu.edu
I’ve been promoting the role of early Black Americans paving the the road to birthright citizenship for more than 20 years; today it mattered more than most. It’s been an honor to support the teams at the ACLU and the LDF Fund along with their clients in this work. hub.jhu.edu/2026/06/30/s...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Fantastic keynote by @marthasjones.bsky.social at the Monuments Workshop’s “Beyond Statues” Convening this morning! Grateful for Dr. Jones’ interventions on where personal memory and public history meet, and what to do about it in the US today. 🪦
September 11, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Fantastic keynote by @marthasjones.bsky.social at the Monuments Workshop’s “Beyond Statues” Convening this morning! Grateful for Dr. Jones’ interventions on where personal memory and public history meet, and what to do about it in the US today. 🪦
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Baltimore! We’ll be live on the eve of September 15 talking about how we’re going from the archives to the big screen to tell the story of Frances Harper and the girls of the Hopkins Orphan Asylum. Join us. hardhistories.substack.com/p/welcome-ba...
Frances Harper and the Hopkins Orphan Asylum; Join Us on September 15
“Rereading the News: The Baltimore Orphan Girl Who Changed a Nation”
hardhistories.substack.com
September 10, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Baltimore! We’ll be live on the eve of September 15 talking about how we’re going from the archives to the big screen to tell the story of Frances Harper and the girls of the Hopkins Orphan Asylum. Join us. hardhistories.substack.com/p/welcome-ba...
Baltimore! We’ll be live on the eve of September 15 talking about how we’re going from the archives to the big screen to tell the story of Frances Harper and the girls of the Hopkins Orphan Asylum. Join us. hardhistories.substack.com/p/welcome-ba...
Frances Harper and the Hopkins Orphan Asylum; Join Us on September 15
“Rereading the News: The Baltimore Orphan Girl Who Changed a Nation”
hardhistories.substack.com
September 10, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Baltimore! We’ll be live on the eve of September 15 talking about how we’re going from the archives to the big screen to tell the story of Frances Harper and the girls of the Hopkins Orphan Asylum. Join us. hardhistories.substack.com/p/welcome-ba...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
To celebrate #WomensEqualityDay, use “Teaching With Vanguard” with @marthasjones.bsky.social’s book “Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All.”
Students read from Jones’ book, share learnings, & explore: how & why were these women “vanguards”?
More:
Students read from Jones’ book, share learnings, & explore: how & why were these women “vanguards”?
More:
Teaching With Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All
An interactive activity to learn about the leading role of Black women in the fight for voting rights throughout U.S. history.
www.zinnedproject.org
August 26, 2026 at 5:10 PM
To celebrate #WomensEqualityDay, use “Teaching With Vanguard” with @marthasjones.bsky.social’s book “Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All.”
Students read from Jones’ book, share learnings, & explore: how & why were these women “vanguards”?
More:
Students read from Jones’ book, share learnings, & explore: how & why were these women “vanguards”?
More:
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
This tour is starting so soon! 😳
Hey all! Our new Camden Yards/Otterbein tour ("Radical Spirits in Right Field") is now open for booking! Come join us in September, or request a day later in autumn for this tour 🧡 fullstorybaltimore.tours/our-tours/#c...
August 23, 2026 at 6:26 PM
This tour is starting so soon! 😳
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Hey all! Our new Camden Yards/Otterbein tour ("Radical Spirits in Right Field") is now open for booking! Come join us in September, or request a day later in autumn for this tour 🧡 fullstorybaltimore.tours/our-tours/#c...
August 8, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Hey all! Our new Camden Yards/Otterbein tour ("Radical Spirits in Right Field") is now open for booking! Come join us in September, or request a day later in autumn for this tour 🧡 fullstorybaltimore.tours/our-tours/#c...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
The Trump admin. is *once again* claiming that the Constitution's guarantee of birthright citizenship was limited to the children of former slaves.
This is wrong. Historians @marthasjones.bsky.social & @katemasur.bsky.social wrote a whole brief explaining why.
www.brennancenter.org/media/15301/...
This is wrong. Historians @marthasjones.bsky.social & @katemasur.bsky.social wrote a whole brief explaining why.
www.brennancenter.org/media/15301/...
August 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
The Trump admin. is *once again* claiming that the Constitution's guarantee of birthright citizenship was limited to the children of former slaves.
This is wrong. Historians @marthasjones.bsky.social & @katemasur.bsky.social wrote a whole brief explaining why.
www.brennancenter.org/media/15301/...
This is wrong. Historians @marthasjones.bsky.social & @katemasur.bsky.social wrote a whole brief explaining why.
www.brennancenter.org/media/15301/...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
This has pretty thoroughly taken over my life recently... and I have no idea how many people are going to show up, or how it'll go... but it sure is happening!
Hey all! As we've already told the good folks on our email list (👀), we're planning a little commemorative public reading of the Declaration of Independence on next Wednesday, July 29. Click through for more details: fullstorybaltimore.tours/july-29-publ...
July 29 Public Reading – Full Story Baltimore
Ready to get semiquincentennial?? July 29th, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Baltimore. This reading took place at the county courthouse...
fullstorybaltimore.tours
July 29, 2026 at 12:05 AM
This has pretty thoroughly taken over my life recently... and I have no idea how many people are going to show up, or how it'll go... but it sure is happening!
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
And, in the process, their brief modeled one way that non-originalist historical scholarship can impact the contemporary Court's constitutional jurisprudence.
Even in this "originalist" era, non-originalist work counts.
Even in this "originalist" era, non-originalist work counts.
July 28, 2026 at 3:17 PM
And, in the process, their brief modeled one way that non-originalist historical scholarship can impact the contemporary Court's constitutional jurisprudence.
Even in this "originalist" era, non-originalist work counts.
Even in this "originalist" era, non-originalist work counts.
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Their brief explores the role free Black activists played in influencing the formation of the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause, tracing their advocacy from the early Republic on forward. In doing so, it added a unique dimension to the voluminous briefing the Court received.
July 28, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Their brief explores the role free Black activists played in influencing the formation of the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause, tracing their advocacy from the early Republic on forward. In doing so, it added a unique dimension to the voluminous briefing the Court received.
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Both Chief Justice Roberts' majority opinion and Justice Jackson's concurrence drew heavily on arguments and sources that historians @marthasjones.bsky.social and @katemasur.bsky.social presented to the Court in an amicus brief.
www.brennancenter.org/media/15301/...
www.brennancenter.org/media/15301/...
July 28, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Both Chief Justice Roberts' majority opinion and Justice Jackson's concurrence drew heavily on arguments and sources that historians @marthasjones.bsky.social and @katemasur.bsky.social presented to the Court in an amicus brief.
www.brennancenter.org/media/15301/...
www.brennancenter.org/media/15301/...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
I follow this so you don’t have to.
« 119th CONGRESS. 2d Session. H. R. 9633. To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the US at birth. »
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
« 119th CONGRESS. 2d Session. H. R. 9633. To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the US at birth. »
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
www.congress.gov
July 28, 2026 at 11:54 AM
I follow this so you don’t have to.
« 119th CONGRESS. 2d Session. H. R. 9633. To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the US at birth. »
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
« 119th CONGRESS. 2d Session. H. R. 9633. To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the US at birth. »
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
I follow this so you don’t have to.
« 119th CONGRESS. 2d Session. H. R. 9633. To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the US at birth. »
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
« 119th CONGRESS. 2d Session. H. R. 9633. To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the US at birth. »
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
www.congress.gov
July 28, 2026 at 11:54 AM
I follow this so you don’t have to.
« 119th CONGRESS. 2d Session. H. R. 9633. To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the US at birth. »
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
« 119th CONGRESS. 2d Session. H. R. 9633. To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the US at birth. »
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Charlotte Hawkins Brown's Palmer Memorial Institute is the only designated Black women’s history site in North Carolina. Thanks to an ambitious preservation and adaptive reuse plan, the campus will soon welcome learners again. Loved covering this project!
Historic Black School at Heart of Development Plans in North Carolina Town
The Palmer Memorial Institute campus, once home to Charlotte Hawkins Brown, will continue to anchor Sedalia as the town grows.
newsletter.mariannedhenin.com
July 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Charlotte Hawkins Brown's Palmer Memorial Institute is the only designated Black women’s history site in North Carolina. Thanks to an ambitious preservation and adaptive reuse plan, the campus will soon welcome learners again. Loved covering this project!
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
The bad news is that fundraising for free news is harder in this political environment. The great news is that you can help our work continue by coming to our party next week!
www.eventbrite.com/e/baltimore-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/baltimore-...
July 14, 2026 at 6:24 PM
The bad news is that fundraising for free news is harder in this political environment. The great news is that you can help our work continue by coming to our party next week!
www.eventbrite.com/e/baltimore-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/baltimore-...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
This week on the #WeThePeoplePodcast, two of America’s leading legal scholars—Richard Epstein and Martha Jones—join to discuss #SCOTUS' decision in Trump v. Barbara on birthright citizenship.
Listen now: https://ow.ly/6IRg50ZjK7m
Listen now: https://ow.ly/6IRg50ZjK7m
July 2, 2026 at 5:05 PM
This week on the #WeThePeoplePodcast, two of America’s leading legal scholars—Richard Epstein and Martha Jones—join to discuss #SCOTUS' decision in Trump v. Barbara on birthright citizenship.
Listen now: https://ow.ly/6IRg50ZjK7m
Listen now: https://ow.ly/6IRg50ZjK7m
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Both Justice Roberts and Justice Jackson cited Professor Martha Jones’ fantastic book, Birthright Citizens.
Re-upping our podcast with her from last year @publichealthpod.bsky.social
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/850-the-hist...
Re-upping our podcast with her from last year @publichealthpod.bsky.social
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/850-the-hist...
Public Health On Call: 850 - The History of Birthright Citizenship in the U.S.
About this episode: In 1868, the 14th Amendment established birthright citizenship in the United States. In this episode: a look at the court cases, historical events, and people that shaped one of th...
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu
July 5, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Both Justice Roberts and Justice Jackson cited Professor Martha Jones’ fantastic book, Birthright Citizens.
Re-upping our podcast with her from last year @publichealthpod.bsky.social
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/850-the-hist...
Re-upping our podcast with her from last year @publichealthpod.bsky.social
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/850-the-hist...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
bsky.app/profile/mart... Harriet abandoned plans to live in america
Happy to share my contribution - an essay on Elizabeth Freeman - and the entire NYTimes Magazine Visions of America project, in print July 4. Freeman’s bequest to us was the struggle for liberty, and that started with family. Read and please comment. We’re reading! www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The Enslaved Woman Who Sued for Freedom and Emancipated Herself (Gift Article)
For the 250th anniversary, The Times Magazine asked leading historians to profile founding-era Americans whose roles in the drama have been often overlooked.
www.nytimes.com
July 9, 2026 at 2:26 PM
bsky.app/profile/mart... Harriet abandoned plans to live in america
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
The Supreme Court recently cited Johns Hopkins historian @marthasjones.bsky.social in its 6-3 ruling that upholds birthright citizenship. The justices pointed to her book "Birthright Citizens" and a legal brief she wrote with Kate Masur. hub.jhu.edu/2026/06/30/s...
Johns Hopkins historian Martha Jones cited in SCOTUS ruling affirming birthright citizenship
In a 6-3 decision, the court reaffirmed the long-held principle that children born in the U.S. are citizens
hub.jhu.edu
July 6, 2026 at 3:52 PM
The Supreme Court recently cited Johns Hopkins historian @marthasjones.bsky.social in its 6-3 ruling that upholds birthright citizenship. The justices pointed to her book "Birthright Citizens" and a legal brief she wrote with Kate Masur. hub.jhu.edu/2026/06/30/s...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
The Enslaved Woman who Sued for Freedom and Emancipated Herself
NYT Gift Article
by Martha S. Jones
Toward the end of the American Revolution, the new nation was already showing signs of the division that would eventually lead to civil war
Read, ENJOY and ponder
bit.ly/4vdTUO8
NYT Gift Article
by Martha S. Jones
Toward the end of the American Revolution, the new nation was already showing signs of the division that would eventually lead to civil war
Read, ENJOY and ponder
bit.ly/4vdTUO8
The Enslaved Woman Who Sued for Freedom and Emancipated Herself (Gift Article)
For the 250th anniversary, The Times Magazine asked leading historians to profile founding-era Americans whose roles in the drama have been often overlooked.
bit.ly
July 6, 2026 at 2:31 AM
The Enslaved Woman who Sued for Freedom and Emancipated Herself
NYT Gift Article
by Martha S. Jones
Toward the end of the American Revolution, the new nation was already showing signs of the division that would eventually lead to civil war
Read, ENJOY and ponder
bit.ly/4vdTUO8
NYT Gift Article
by Martha S. Jones
Toward the end of the American Revolution, the new nation was already showing signs of the division that would eventually lead to civil war
Read, ENJOY and ponder
bit.ly/4vdTUO8
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Visions of America with @marthasjones.bsky.social @agordonreed.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Visions of America: The Revolution as You’ve Never Seen It Before
For the 250th anniversary, The Times Magazine asked leading historians to profile founding-era Americans whose roles in the drama have been often overlooked.
www.nytimes.com
July 5, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Visions of America with @marthasjones.bsky.social @agordonreed.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Martha S. Jones
Thrilled to be in Ebony for their coverage of the 250! www.ebony.com/when-we-were...
Black Emancipation Day: A Legacy of Freedom & Dignity
Discover the rich history and profound significance of Black Emancipation Day celebrations, where faith, resilience, and culture united to reclaim freedom in a new book by Blair LM Kelley
www.ebony.com
July 3, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Thrilled to be in Ebony for their coverage of the 250! www.ebony.com/when-we-were...