FOOT SOLDIERS

After more than 40 years, foot soldiers and their stories are still missing from many books and other chronicles written about the Civil Rights Movement.  Many have died and their stories along with them.  Others, now elderly, have stories that have never been documented.  Founded in 1991, the Civil Rights Activist Committee, which will host the reunion, is dedicated to preserving the stories of contributions made by these brave men and women.

The foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement included trainers, strategists, drivers, cooks, guards and many more.  Some cooked custard and baked cakes and fried chicken to feed the troops.  Some guarded the meeting places, the churches, while some put dollars in the collection plate as bail for the “jailbirds,” the arrested protestors.  Others drove their cars in caravans to transport children and the elderly to the protests.  Some led devotions, sang in the choir, and others ushered at planning meetings.  All prayed for the safety of the movement’s leaders and their fellow foot soldiers.  Chairman of the Civil Rights Activists Committee, Paulette Roby stated, “It is important that we know our history so that we can better serve humanity and understand how teamwork makes the dream work.”

Expected to draw participants from around the city of Birmingham and surrounding counties, the reunion will honor those who served during that time. 

For complete information on the Foot Soldiers Reunion, call the Civil Rights Activist Committee in Birmingham at 205-518-0321.