National Civil Rights Museum

#OnThisDay in 1968, Shirley Chisholm made history as the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Serving as a Congresswoman from 1969 to 1983, she represented New York's 12th District with unwavering dedication and a commitment to representing the voices of those often overlooked. TODAY, we have the opportunity to continue her legacy and make history with a record turnout! We encourage everyone to make their voices heard by voting today! Every ballot cast is a step towards shaping our future and honoring those who fought for our rights. #BeLoudVOTE #HistoryMovesUsForward #StrongerTogether

So grateful we were able to host this incredible group from Children’s Hospital Association and help facilitate this conversation at our wonderful National Civil Rights Museum.

We encourage everyone—especially young, first-time, and non-voters—to get active and engage in our democracy. Together, we can connect across generations, ethnicities, and political beliefs to envision a nation that truly lives up to its ideals. For resources on voting and civic engagement, visit https://tr.ee/7RtwV0X6mX today!

#OnThisDay in 1920, more than 8 million American women voted for the first time after the 19th Amendment was ratified by 2/3 of the states over the course of 1919 and 1920. While the 2/3 majority enabled the 19th Amendment to be put into effect in 1920, not all women gained the right to vote at that time. Although Black and Indigenous women fought tirelessly in the suffrage movement, they faced racism within the women's suffrage movement itself, as many leaders overlooked their contributions and often spoke disparagingly of Black men, who still faced significant opposition at the polls. It would take more than 60 years for the remaining 12 states to ratify the amendment, with Mississippi being the last in 1984. Image Credit: NMAAHC Mary McLeod Bethune: A Force of Change Exhibition DYK: In 1896 several African American women’s organizations formed the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) in Washington, D.C.?

Big thanks to ARTSmemphis and the Tennesee Arts Commission for the Arts Build Communities Grant! We are thrilled to announce that this funding helps the Museum provide arts and cultural activities during the 2025 Ruby Bridges Reading Festival. More specifically, this award will support local artist performances and children’s arts-based activities and entertainment. The goal of the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival is to inspire youth towards positive social change by promoting literacy, highlighting an array of diverse authors and artists, and exposing youth to stories that detail the heroic journeys of global activists. The Museum hopes that young people will be excited to read and share these stories with peers and family members and that they will feel empowered to advocate for civil and human rights in their spheres of influence. ➡️: To learn more about the 2025 #RubyBridgesReadingFestival visit https://tr.ee/_ajSojKORN

#OnThisDay in 1910, the first issue of "The Crisis" was published, marking a significant moment in history. Founded by W.E.B. Du Bois, this magazine has served as the official publication of the NAACP, playing a vital role in the dialogue surrounding civil rights, history, politics, and culture. It challenges its readers to confront important issues facing African Americans and people of color. When Du Bois established "The Crisis" as the magazine for the newly formed NAACP, he created one of the most influential publications on race and social justice in America. Targeted at educated African-American readers, the magazine quickly gained popularity, reaching a peak circulation of about 100,000 within nine years. Image Credit: The Modernist Journal Project

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing #QueenOfPercussion, Sheila E, for visiting the museum! The passion she has for art and music truly shines, and we’re so grateful she shared a few cherished memories with us!! A special shout-out to our President, Russell Wigginton for leading her tour—he did an excellent job! Until next time!

Time is winding down for early voting! Don’t miss your chance to get ahead of the crowd before November 5th! Don’t wait—head out now and make your voice count! Every vote matters, and together we can make a difference! For resources on voting and civic engagement, visit the #ImagineAnAmerica website today! ➡️: https://tr.ee/7RtwV0X6mX #GetOutAndVote #Vote2024 #CivicEngagement #ImagineAnAmerica #HistoryMovesUsForward

Image An America is a digital platform that heightens awareness of the privilege and necessity of voting. #ImagineAnAmerica encourages us to get out and vote, no matter what! It connects voters to resources that enable community activism and accountability. While the initiative is designed to engage young voters, first-time voters and non-voters, its goal is to reach across generations, ethnicities and political ideologies to mobilize citizens to envision a nation that lives up to its democratic ideals. Check out the Imagine an America website today for voting resources and much more! ➡️: https://tr.ee/7RtwV0X6mX

#OnThisDay we celebrate the birthday of Gospel singer and Civil Rights Activist Mahalia Jackson, born in 1911. Some of her famed recordings included "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" and "In the Upper Room." Her music served as a rallying cry for justice, inspiring countless individuals during the struggle for equality. As a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she played a pivotal role in the movement, using her platform to advocate for civil rights. Jackson famously performed at the March on Washington in 1963, delivering a stirring rendition of "How I Got Over," which resonated deeply with the crowd. Her unwavering commitment to social justice and her courageous stance against racial discrimination made her a vital figure in the civil rights movement, reinforcing the power of music as a tool for change. #DidYouKnow: She sang Dr. King's favorite song, "Precious Lord," at his funeral?