Louretta Wimberly (above), who has spent a lifetime advocating for civil rights, described how she feels when she walks down her street and sees MDS volunteers repairing and rebuilding homes. “These are sacred places to so many people here,” she said.
ASHA BELK: “I had the privilege to visit two women who had their homes repaired by MDS, but also had a historical past to share from their memories as foot soldiers in 1965 — known and remembered as ‘Bloody Sunday.’ Holding Ms. Sarah’s Congressional Gold Medal felt surreal. This is what we learned in school from our textbooks, but history was in my hands and my presence.”
SARAH CARTER CRAIG: “We’re so grateful for what was done. After the tornado, I prayed. I do all I can to stay in touch with God. He answers prayers. It might take awhile. But I’ve been in touch with Him for a long time.”
LOURETTA WIMBERLY: “I feel now people have a better idea of the Mennonites. They are kind. They are quiet. When you wear different clothes and different foods, it doesn’t mean we can’t stand strong together.”
(Opposite page and above) Sarah Carter Craig, 93, is the oldest living “foot soldier” who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with 600 others on “Bloody Sunday” in 1965. Her house is overflowing with memorabilia commemorating this courageous effort that galvanized the nation in support of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
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behind the hammer
behind the hammer
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