Fannie Lou Hamer

About

Fannie Lou Hamer was a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, born on October 6, 1917, in Montgomery County, Mississippi. She rose from humble beginnings as the youngest of 20 children of sharecroppers to become a powerful voice for voting rights and economic equality. Hamer's journey into activism began in 1962 when she attended a voting rights workshop organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). This marked the start of her tireless efforts to register African Americans to vote, despite facing numerous challenges, including literacy tests and harassment. Hamer co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and was a key figure in the 1964 Democratic National Convention. She also launched the Freedom Farm Cooperative to provide economic opportunities for African Americans. Her activism extended beyond voting rights, advocating for women's rights and founding the National Women's Political Caucus. Hamer's legacy continues to inspire movements for civil rights, women's rights, and economic justice. She passed away on March 14, 1977, but her impact remains profound, earning her numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.