About Fannie Lou Hamer

Fannie Lou Hamer is Mississippi’s national treasure for many reasons, foremost, her legacy in pioneering voter engagement began by courageously joining a group of black people from the Delta to the courthouse in Indianola, Mississippi, for the purpose of registering to vote for the first time in their lives. She was 44 years old. Mrs. Hamer lost her job, was shot at nine times into the house where she was staying, and was beaten to near death in Winona. Yet, she transcended. Her powerful voice catapulted her to national and international platforms, sounding the alarm for justice in Mississippi. She never tired, fighting for civil rights, hunger injustice, anti-violence and political power for black Mississippians. “No one is free, until everyone is free.” “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”