Program for Fannie Lou Hamer Speech at Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church

Program, including a brief biography, for a speech given by Fannie Lou Hamer for "The Women of Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church" in Greenville, Mississippi. Includes notes and corrections in pencil.

Hamer, Fannie Lou; Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church (Greenville, Miss.); African Americans; African American churches

The Women of Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church

Present

Mrs Fannie Lou Hamer
Dynamic Civil Rights Leader

Sunday, August 31, 1969, 7:30 p.m.
PILGRIM REST M. B. CHURCH
Third and Grand Streets
Greenville, Mississippi

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MRS. FANNIE LOU HAMER

Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, 51, was born in Montgomery County to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Townsend. She is one of twenty (20) children, the daughter of a Minister, and was baptized 41 years ago by Rev. Richard Callien.

Her parents were Sharecroppers. In 1962 she was fired as a reprisal after attempting to register to vote. She went to live with friends and their house was riddled with sixteen (16) gunshots, from which she miraculously escaped. Within a year she became the most dynamic woman to emerge from the Civil Rights Movement.

Mrs. Hamer and the Freedom Democratic Party came to National Prominence in August 1964, when she led a delegation of Mississippi Citizens to the National Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The results of the Challenge was an unprecedented pledge from the National Democratic Party not to seat a delegation that excluded Negroes at the next National Convention in 1968.

Mrs. Hamer has received two (2) Honorary Degrees: an Honorary Degree of Human Letters from Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi issued by the faculty upon approval of the Board of Trustees, June 1, 1969, and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanity from Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina, June 8, 1969. She also received several Awards as a tribute for her strong defense of human dignity and fearless promotion of Civil Rights in her native state of Mississippi. They were presented to her by President Hugh M. Gloster, June 3, 1969. On August 14, 1969, Mrs. Hamer received the Mary Church Terrell Award from Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. for her relentless fight against all forms of racism, intolerance, political, social, and economic oppression.

A forth-right and much sought after speaker, Mrs. Hamer, has traveled throughout the United States and abroad.

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WOMEN'S NIGHT

Theme: "Women of Decision"

PROGRAMME

Mistress of Ceremonies - Sister Thelma Mitchell

ORGAN PRELUDE

PROCESSIONAL HYMN - Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus - 2 S. H.

CALL TO WORSHIP - Glory Be to the Father - 658 S. H.

DEVOTION - Scripture - Mother Leanna Walker
Prayer - Mother Fannie Dofford

MUSIC - God Is So Wonderful - Arr. by Paul Ferrin

GREETINGS AND RECOGNITION OF GUESTS - Sister Valeria Brown

TRIBUTE TO WOMEN OF DECISION - Sister Shirley West

MUSIC - You Can't Beat God Giving - Arr. by Doris Akers
Soloist, Mrs. J. F. Redmon

OFFERTORY - Led by Offertory Committee

DOXOLOGY - Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow - (Congregation)

ANTHEM - How Great Thou Art - Arr. by Mickleson

PRESENTATION OF GUEST SPEAKER - Mrs. Thelma Barnes

GUEST SPEAKER - Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer

SPIRITUAL - Ride On King Jesus - Arr. by Hall B. Johnson
Soloist, Mrs. Bobbie Jean Gort

FINANCIAL REPORT

REMARKS - Pastor - Rev. J. F. Redmon

BENEDICTION - The Minister

POSTLUDE

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A Note of Appreciation

The Women of the Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church are deeply appreciative of Mrs. Hamer's appearing as our guest speaker on this program.

We are also grateful to all the participants and to you who turned aside from your busy schedules and came to witness the program.

Thanks for your financial assistance and may God's richest blessings attend you ever.

Program Committee

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Once to every woman and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of Truth with Falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God's New Messiah
Offering each the bloom or blight,
Parts the goats upon the left hand,
And the sheep upon the right,
And the choice goes by forever twixt
That darkness and that light.