Posted by Today we celebrate African American voting rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer. Born in 1917 the 20th child of sharecroppers in Montgomery County Mississippi, Fannie went on to fight the good fight of voting rights for African Americans.
She was instrumental in organizing Freedom Summer 1964, and even attempted to run for Mississippi House of Representatives. Unfortunately but not unexpectedly, she was barred from the ballot. Fannie Lou turned her focus to economics in an attempt for greater racial equality. She started a pig bank that provided free pigs to black farmers to breed. In 1969 she launched the Freedom Farm Cooperative which provided black farmers with land that they could collectively own and farm. In this initiative, Fannie Lou was able to purchase 640 acres of land and secure 200 Units of low income housing. The FFC lasted until 1970.
*****
How can you support TRE?
– If you liked what you read, leave a comment, “let’s start a dialogue”-Charles Barkley.
– I will be posting one BHM fact a day so please check the box in the comment section to receive email notifications.
– If you are feeling extra social, make an account and follow the blog. 🙂
– Lastly, please share with your friends! There is nothing better than the *free* gift of knowledge!
The Re-Education... 