March 7 marks the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in the United States (US), a moment when civil rights protestors encountered violence on a peaceful march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. This march was a historic moment of the 1960s civil rights struggle as many Americans protested against racial violence and voting discrimination. In many southern states, such as Alabama, even though black Americans had the right to vote, many were still not able to vote due to racial violence. In fact, only one percent of eligible black voters registered to vote in Alabama, according to britannica.com. Most civil rights activists engaged in peaceful protests, such as the historic 1965 Selma Voting Rights March, to call attention to the problem. Mrs. Lynda Blackmon Lowery, civil rights activist, addressed Upper and Middle School students at Sacred Heart Greenwich, February 19. Mrs. Blackmon Lowery was the youngest participant in the Selma March, as well as the author of the memoir, Turning fifteen on the Road to Freedom.
Mrs. Blackmon Lowery was born in 1950 in Selma. At age seven, Mrs. Blackmon Lowery’s mother died after doctors turned her away from medical care, which was a consequence of segregation and racial discrimination. When Mrs. Blackmon Lowery was thirteen years old, she listened to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak at a church in Selma, Alabama. Mrs. Blackmon Lowery found it to be an eye opening experience.
After a full year of training in nonviolent confrontation, Mrs. Blackmon Lowery started marching. At only 14 years old, she was one of 300 people to make the entire five day, 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery. While crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, attackers beat Mrs. Blackmon Lowery and other protesters. Mrs. Blackmon Lowery received seven stitches for a cut above her right eye and 28 stitches on the back of her head. This assault on Mrs. Blackmon Lowery, and several others, led to this day becoming known as “Bloody Sunday.” However, Mrs. Blackmon Lowery continued to engage in peaceful protests. By the time Mrs. Blackmon Lowery was 15, authorities jailed her nine times for participating in non-violent protests.
The Selma Marches were a series of three marches. The first march departed from Selma March 7, 1965. That day marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where they encountered Alabama law enforcement. Police beat marchers, including march leader Mr. John Lewis, who suffered a skull fracture. Ultimately, the violence forced marchers to turn back. Protestors launched a second attempt on March 19, a day known as “Turnaround Tuesday.” which Dr. King was the leader of, this march included over 600 people. However, marchers again met law enforcement and returned to Selma. Finally, a third march launched on March 21. By this time, the march has grown to include thousands of people. This time, marchers successfully completed the 54-miles walk to Montgomery. Their efforts influenced Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which former President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed into law in August, according to britannica.com.
Throughout the March of 1965, Mrs. Blackmon Lowery encountered challenges that required bravery and resilience. She drew strength from her community, friends, teachers, family, and pastor. In her speech, Mrs. Blackmon Lowery emphasized the value of community and loved ones and advised Upper School students to find the people in their own lives who will support them.
Mrs. Blackmon Lowery told students that her faith in God inspired her to persevere through challenges. Growing up, Mrs. Blackmon Lowery lived down the street from her church. Her grandmother made Mrs. Blackmon Lowery participate in all the programs her local church offered, which gave Mrs. Blackmon Lowery a deep connection to God. She spoke about how faith helped her to resist feelings of hate. Mrs. Blackmon Lowery spoke about how faith has always been an integral aspect of her life.
“My faith is still as strong as when my grandmother was building it at age seven,” Mrs. Blackmon Lowery said. “Faith has always been a part of my life.”
Today, Mrs. Blackmon Lowery works as a mental health counselor in Selma. She is also busy as a public speaker, who shares her story across the United States (US), and Mrs. Blackmon Lowery continues to advocate for justice and equity. Mrs. Blackmon Lowery concluded her talk by urging students to be the change they want to see in the world.
“There are many issues you see that you know are wrong and need to be changed,” Mrs. Blackmon Lowery said. “Be the change and get it together.”
Featured Image by Gabrielle Arredondo ’27
