FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Patricia M. Thompson
THE ROAR FOUNDATION, INC.
Phone: (612) 243-3467
Mississippi: (662) 254-3855 (Dr. Dorsey @ Valley)
Email: theroarfoundation@yahoo.com
"NO TWO SEATS SINCE ALL OF US IS TIRED"
— mrs. fannie lou hamer
September 8, 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota
THE ROAR FOUNDATION, INC is sponsoring The 4th Annual Fannie Lou Hamer Family Day Event in Ruleville, Mississippi at The Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden Park on Saturday, September 13th, 2003 at 12:00 noon to commemorate Fannie Lou Hamer and Civil Rights Movement Veterans from around the nation.
Fannie Lou Hamer was best known for her compelling testimonial in 1964 before the National Democratic Credentials Committee about the Winona, Mississippi jail house beating she and others encountered in their plight to register to vote. "I question America," exclaimed Mrs. Hamer. "Is This The Land of The Free and Home of The Brave when we are harassed everyday just because we want to register to vote?"
Living Legend Mrs. Victoria Jackson Gray Adams is the Keynote Speaker. Mrs. Adams is the sole survivor of the historic trio dynamic (Vickie Gray, Mrs. Anna Devine & Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer) who were the first black women to be seated on the floor of The United States House of Representatives. Mrs. Adams remains active in many social causes today including Campaign Finances via The Fannie Lou Hamer Project. You can find out more info on Mrs. Adams at www.flhp.org.
Seku "Chico" Neblett and his African Drums will do a traditional African Drum Call in honor of Mrs. Hamer's spirit. Chico is an original Freedom Singer. Chico "Seku" Neblett uses his Residencies, Performances, Workshops, etcetera to encourage, convince and persuade participants to want to know more about positive contributions that African people have made to Humanity. For more more information on Chico try www.seku.com.
Civil Rights Veterans Owen Brooks, Dr. L.C. Dorsey & Mr. Charles McLaurin will attend, as will Mississippi State Senator Willie Simmons, Rev. Ronald V. Myers, M.D./National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Bolivar County Head Start Performers and Ruleville Middle School.
Dr. L. C. Dorsey and the Delta Research & Cultural Institute at Mississippi Valley State University is hosting a two-day conference at "The Valley" on Thursday and Friday, September 11th and 12th, 2003. Dialog for the future of The Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden Park will be discussed as The Fannie Lou Hamer Steering Committee prepares to embrace ideas from the nation at large as to how to best shape and mold The Hamer Gardens into an Educational Mecca.
Mrs. Victoria Gray Adams will lead several round table discussions regarding Fannie Lou Hamer, the future of The Hamer Garden Park and her role with The Fannie Lou Hamer Steering Committee. Mr. Lawrence Guyot expressed gratitude as he gleefully discussed Fannie Lou Hamer and the need for continuing the legacy. Some improvements have been made since last year. The City of Ruleville has planted additional trees and hired help is available part time and via partnership with County and State Officials, state inmates from Parchman clean up The Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden Park.
Moreover, a parking lot is under construction at the site. This is also a joint effort by City, County and State Officials as well as Mr. Cephuis Smith of The Ruleville Sunflower County Historical Society.
Our supporters/well wishers are Dr. Maya Angelou, Products & Supplies Company of Cleveland, Ruleville Sunflower County Historical Society, Dr. L. C. Dorsey, former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, Attorney Levi Boone of Cleveland, Mississippi and Ms. Oprah Winfrey.
THE ROAR FOUNDATION, INC. will re-dedicate THE FANNIE LOU HAMER MEMORIAL GARDEN PARK next year at the 5th Annual Fannie Lou Hamer Family Day Event on Saturday, October 5th, 2004 at The Hamer Garden Park.
For More on ROAR, please contact Patricia M. Thompson.
Copyright © 2003
Last Modified: September 11, 2003.
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