One female freedom fighter is one of the most captivating poets in America. The second was a communications director for one of the most controversial and effective black revolutionary organizations in American history, the Black Panther Party. The third is an award-winning journalist who helped integrate the University of Georgia.
Sonia Sanchez, Kathleen Cleaver and Charlayne Hunter-Gault are three of the living women honored as part of the Ford-sponsored “Freedom Sisters” exhibit that illuminates the monumental contributions that 20 African American females provided during the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement of the 1960s and early 70s. The Freedom Sisters Exhibit, open from July 24–Oct. 3, also posthumously honors Rachel Clark, Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan and, of course, Coretta Scott King.
Jimmy Carter personally honored the women, saying they were influential in his personal and professional life.
“This is for everyone who understands that the fight for justice in equality in this nation and around the world is not over, not only for African Americans and minorities, but also for women,” Carter said.
The exhibit features large black-and-white photographs, artifacts and timelines depicting the work of the women.
Cleaver, who can be seen wearing an Afro in 1967 when she and fellow Black Panthers famously paraded with guns into the California Statehouse, is now a law professor at Atlanta’s prestigious Emory University. She said she was humbled beyond words at the spectacular exhibit because it was at the Carter Center.
“I’m connected to these people whom I’ve either met or worked with or been in their organizations. It’s actually quite stunning,” said Cleaver, who initially became an activist while working with the SNCC. “It’s a cross section of America. It’s pretty amazing to me, I think, that we get to be in a presidential library.”
And it’s way past due, many believe, that these women’s works were finally honored at the Carter Center. In many ways, they’ve never truly been appreciated like their fellow freedom fighters who were male. –terry shropshire
Captions: 1. A fan, far left, poses with the “Freedom Sisters”: Kathleen Cleaver, Sonia Sanchez and Charlayne Hunter-Gault.
2. Charlayne Hunter-Gault speaks as Kathleen Cleaver and Sonia Sanchez look on.
