In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Atlanta History Center will host a day of events on Jan. 18 to highlight the vital contributions of women to the civil rights movement.
Titled “She Shall Not Be Moved,” the program expands the narrative of the movement to recognize the activism and leadership of women who shaped history alongside Dr. King.
One of the event’s highlights is a panel discussion moderated by Dr. La’Niece Littleton, Director of Community Collaborations at the Atlanta History Center, featuring Judge Brenda Cole and Dr. Vicki Crawford of Morehouse College. Dr. Littleton and Judge Cole recently joined Lois Reitzes on “City Lights” to discuss the upcoming events.
The panel will explore the roles of women like Coretta Scott King, Grace Towns Hamilton and Alberta Williams King, as well as unsung heroes like the women of the 1880 Washerwomen’s Strike, whose courage laid the groundwork for Atlanta’s role in the civil rights movement.
Judge Cole, reflecting on her time as a Spelman student during the Atlanta Student Movement, spoke of the bravery and determination it took to challenge segregation as a teenager. “It was an idea whose time had come,” she shared. Attendees can also explore a self-guided exhibit featuring hats worn by women in the King family, each representing a story of resilience and leadership.
