|
Evelyn Gibson Lowery (February 16, 1925 – September 26, 2013) was an American civil rights activist and leader. ==Biography== Lowery was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 16, 1925, and was the daughter of activists Rev. Dr. Harry and Evelyn Gibson. They provided her with the inspiration that became the foundation for a lifetime of involvement in human rights at both the national and international levels. Her father served as president of the Memphis chapter of the NAACP and her mother was involved in community organizations. She attended Clark College and Youngstown University. She married Rev. Joseph Lowery in 1950. He is President Emeritus of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the American Civil Rights Movement. She also marched in the historic Selma to Montgomery March in 1965, and re-enacted the trip several times.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.11alive.com/news/article/307688/40/Evelyn-Lowery-dies-from-stroke-related-complications )〕 In 1979, seeing a special need for women and families, Lowery founded SCLC/Women’s Organizational Movement for Equality Now, Inc. (W.O.M.E.N.), the sister organization of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.〔(A Woman of Substance! )〕 It was organized to champion the rights of women, children, families, and responding to the problems of the disenfranchised regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, or religion. Through that organization she spearheaded education and mentoring programs, HIV/Aids awareness initiatives and raised over $350,000 for scholarships for high school seniors. Over the years, Lowery also took the lead in recognizing the contributions of fellow activists. She moved to develop coalitions and alliances with a variety of women's groups throughout the nation and other parts of the world.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/26/us/obit-evelyn-lowery/?hpt=us_c2 )〕 In 1980, Lowery created the Drum Major For Justice Award, held annually near the April 4th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the founding president of SCLC, who wanted to be remembered as "a Drum Major For Justice."〔(Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. )〕 The awardees are recognized by their contributions to the cause of freedom, equality, and achievement in their professional fields. A partial list of awardees includes Rosa Parks, The Original Tuskegee Airmen, Rev. Hosea Williams, Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Mae Jemison, Andrew Young, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., and James Meredith.〔(Drum Major for Justice website )〕 She was also responsible for the erection of the Civil Rights Freedom Wall in Perry County, Alabama,〔(Heritage Educational Tour )〕 and monuments honoring movement icons such as Viola Liuzzo, John Lewis and Hosea Williams. In 2004 Lowery was herself honored at the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, located in Atlanta, Georgia.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.in.com/evelyn-g-lowery/biography-89759.html )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Evelyn G. Lowery」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|