United States Representative Terri Sewell continues to champion civil rights as Alabama’s first Black congresswoman. Through her legislative efforts, she brings national attention to the sacrifices made by past generations in the fight for equality.
Honoring the Four Girls of Birmingham
One of Sewell’s most significant achievements is her work to honor the four young girls killed in the 1963 bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley were attending Sunday school when a bomb, planted by the Ku Klux Klan, exploded, cutting their lives short.
This tragedy became a defining moment in the civil rights movement. In 2013, 50 years after the bombing, Sewell sponsored a bill to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the girls. This medal is the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow.
“I get to walk the halls of Congress today because Addie Mae, Denise, Carole, and Cynthia cannot,” Sewell said. “I walk in their shoes.” She views the honor as a symbol of America’s ongoing promise of equality and justice.
Recognizing the Foot Soldiers of Selma
Sewell also turned her focus to the courageous marchers of “Bloody Sunday,” the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights. These peaceful protesters were brutally beaten as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, but their determination inspired the passage of the Voting Rights Act later that year.
In 2020, Sewell led the unanimous passage of a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to these foot soldiers. She called their actions “a testament to the enduring nature of our American values enshrined in the Constitution.”
Her work ensures that the bravery and sacrifice of these individuals are remembered and celebrated for generations to come.
Daily Reflections on Civil Rights Sacrifices
Representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional District—a region steeped in civil rights history—Sewell draws daily inspiration from past struggles. She views her role as a continuation of the work begun by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and the unsung heroes of the movement.
“We cannot rest on our laurels,” Sewell said. “We have to build upon the sacrifices of others and run our leg of the race with gusto.”
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