FANNIE LOU HAMER (1917-1977)

Fannie Lou Hamer picked cotton as a child and worked as a sharecropper for eighteen years.

In 1962, Fannie attempted to vote in the county seat of Indianola, Mississippi, and when that action brought on physical violence she decided to dedicate her life to civil rights activism. 

Ms. Hamer secured federal guaranteed voting rights for African Americans, and founded the 'Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party' (MFDP seen above). She gained national attention when MFDP, demanded to be seated along the all white state delegation.

Although beatings from police officers caused permanent damage to Ms. Hamers' arm and kidneys -- she didn't let the beatings slow her down, and she continued to fight against racial discrimination and terror. 

 2008 LA