This article recounts the story of Annie Lee Cooper, a courageous Black woman who fought for her right to vote in Selma, Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement. It highlights her confrontation with Sheriff Jim Clark and his deputies, her resilience in the face of violence and discrimination, and her ultimate triumph when the Voting Rights Act was passed.
Atsushi Nishijima, courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Pathé and Harpo Filmsin line for hours outside the Dallas County courthouse in Selma , Alabama, once again attempting to register to vote.
Clark began poking her over and over in the neck with his billy club. She finally struck back, knocking him down. Deputies attacked her, beating her with a billy club. They threw her into jail, where she began to sing spirituals. The Voting Rights Act passed Congress, and she was able to vote. She lived to be 100, and the city of Selma named a street after her. Winfreyshe decided to portray Cooper because of “what her courage meant to an entire movement. Having people look at you and not see you as a human being — she just got tired of it.”As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on reader support to make our work possible. If you enjoyed this article, please consider donating today to support our award-winning journalism.
CIVIL RIGHTS SELMA VOTING RIGHTS ANNIE LEE COOPER OPRAH WINFREY
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anderson Cooper Celebrates 13 Years on 'Anderson Cooper 360' with Yellow Dress TraditionAnderson Cooper celebrated his 13th anniversary on 'Anderson Cooper 360' with his signature yellow and white dress. During the show, he reflected on his career journey and expressed gratitude for the milestone.
Read more »
Dear Annie: Should we have told our mom she spoiled the soup?In today's Dear Annie column, Annie Lane weighs in on an awkward soup situation
Read more »
Squid Game Season 2 Lee Jung-Jae And Lee Seo-Hwan Interview'I think that it's parallel to the political sphere that we see nowadays. It's so polarized, it's just two sides, and they can't come to a compromise.'
Read more »
Vote totals show GOP faces major hurdle to woo black voters: The 'Selma effect'There’s a huge disconnect between the ideological beliefs of black voters and their election behavior that no modern Republican — not even Donald Trump — has yet overcome.
Read more »
Suspect Charged in Selma's First Homicide of 2025A suspect has been charged in the weekend shooting death of a 43-year-old man in Selma, Alabama. The shooting, which stemmed from an ongoing dispute between communities, occurred Saturday evening in the area of Minter Avenue and Keller Avenue.
Read more »
Five Finalists Vie for Selma City Schools Superintendent PositionThe City of Selma has narrowed its search for a new superintendent to five finalists. The finalists, selected by the Alabama Association of School Boards, bring diverse backgrounds and experience in education.
Read more »