Fred Shuttlesworth

Fred Shuttlesworth

Fred Shuttlesworth (March 18, 1922 – October 5, 2011) was a prominent American civil rights activist who played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. He was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and worked closely with other civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy.

Early Life

Fred Lee Robinson was born in Mount Meigs, Alabama, and later took the surname of his stepfather, William N. Shuttlesworth. He grew up in a rural area and attended local schools. Shuttlesworth was deeply influenced by his religious upbringing and decided to pursue a career in ministry.

Civil Rights Activism

In 1953, Shuttlesworth became the pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. His leadership in the church soon extended to the broader community, where he became a vocal advocate for civil rights.

Birmingham Campaign

Shuttlesworth was a key figure in the Birmingham Campaign, a series of protests against racial segregation in Birmingham. He helped organize the Birmingham bus boycott and was instrumental in the efforts to desegregate Birmingham's public facilities.

In 1956, Shuttlesworth founded the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR) after the state of Alabama banned the NAACP from operating. The ACMHR became a powerful force in the fight against segregation.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

In 1957, Shuttlesworth joined forces with Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders to form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The SCLC aimed to harness the moral authority and organizing power of black churches to conduct nonviolent protests in the service of civil rights reform.

Personal Life and Legacy

Shuttlesworth survived numerous attempts on his life, including a bombing of his home in 1956. Despite these threats, he remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolence and civil rights.

After the civil rights era, Shuttlesworth continued to work for social justice and equality. He moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he founded the Greater New Light Baptist Church and continued his activism.

Fred Shuttlesworth passed away on October 5, 2011, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered as a courageous leader who faced immense personal risk to fight for the rights of African Americans.

Honors and Recognition

Shuttlesworth received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Presidential Citizens Medal. In 2001, the Birmingham airport was renamed the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in his honor.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference

References

• Garrow, David J. Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. HarperCollins, 1986.
• Manis, Andrew M. A Fire You Can't Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham's Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. University of Alabama Press, 1999.