Warrior Woman 3

Fannie Lou Hamer

1917 - 1977

Fannie Lou Hamer was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi, the of 20 children.

Her parents were sharecroppers, and Hamer began working in the fields at 6 years old. She married a sharecropper, and her life was much like her Mother’s life until 1962, when she attended a voter registration meeting held by civil rights. On August 31, 1962, she traveled to the county courthouse in Indianola to register to vote. Her bravery came at a high price. She was fired from her job ad had to leave her the plantation that had been her home for over 20 years. “They kicked me off the plantation, they set me free. It’s the best thing that could have happened. Now I can work for my people.”

Fannie Lou Hamer went on to become a Civil Rights Activist, helped found the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party - helping to register over 64,000 black people to vote, and spoke at the 1964 Democratic Convention.

My favorite quote of Fannie Lou Hamer, now more than ever, reminds me of the need for our people to practice the principle of Kujichagulia - self determination!

“The question for black people is not, when is the white man going to give us our rights, or when is he going to give us good education for our children, or when is he going to give us jobs. If the white man gives you anything - just remember. Get ready, he will take it right back. We have to take for ourselves.”