Fannie Lou Hamer

Fannie_Lou_Hamer

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Fannie Lou Hamer
Born	Fannie Lou Townsend (1917-10-06)October 6, 1917 Montgomery County, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	March 14, 1977(1977-03-14) (aged 59) Mound Bayou, Mississippi, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Civil rights activist
Known for	Co-founding the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Perry "Pap" Hamer

Fannie Lou Hamer (née Townsend; October 6, 1917 – March 14, 1977) was an American civil rights activist who was instrumental in organizing Mississippi's Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She was also the co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), which she represented at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.

Early Life

Fannie Lou Townsend was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi, the youngest of 20 children. Her parents were sharecroppers, and she began working in the fields at a young age. Despite the hardships, she developed a strong sense of justice and a desire to improve the lives of African Americans in the South.

Civil Rights Activism

Hamer became involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. She joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1962 and quickly became a leader in the movement. She was known for her powerful speeches and her ability to inspire others to join the cause.

Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party

In 1964, Hamer co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) to challenge the all-white delegation from Mississippi at the Democratic National Convention. Her televised testimony about the violence and discrimination faced by African Americans in Mississippi brought national attention to the civil rights movement.

Freedom Summer

Hamer played a key role in organizing Freedom Summer, a campaign launched in 1964 to register African American voters in Mississippi. Despite facing violence and intimidation, the campaign succeeded in registering thousands of new voters and bringing national attention to the issue of voting rights.

Later Life and Legacy

Hamer continued to work for civil rights and social justice until her death in 1977. She is remembered as a tireless advocate for equality and a powerful voice for the oppressed. Her legacy lives on in the continued fight for civil rights and social justice in the United States.

Related Pages

• Civil rights movement
• Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
• Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party
• Freedom Summer
• Democratic National Convention

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