Rev. Fred Shuttleswoth, Sr. (March 18, 1922 - October 5, 2011) was one
who opened many doors for countless people he never met. A man of
humble beginnings, surrounded by poverty and discrimination in
Alabama during his childhood and adulthood, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth,
Sr., will forever be known for his fight for racial unity and equality. He
died October 5, 2011 at the age of 89 in Birmingham.
One of “The Big Three” of the Civil Rights Movement, he worked
diligently and steadfastly in the fight for Civil Rights with Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., and Rev. Ralph David Abernathy. Born in Montgomery
County, Alabama, Rev. Shuttlesworth, valedictorian of his high school
graduating class, spent most of his adult life in Cincinnati, Ohio where
he served as pastor of Greater New Light Baptist Church while
continuing his fight to advance the cause of civil rights - a fight he
started in his home state of Alabama.
Rev. Shuttlesworth, known as a “blunt talking preacher who braved
beatings, bombings and fire hoses” advanced the cause of civil rights and
was a fearless crusader, leader for the cause. Many believe he was the
force, a catalyst behind the movement that millions viewed through the
eyes of the charismatic leader Rev. King.
Rev. Shuttlesworth, who began his life as a social activist in 1954,
founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957
along with Rev. Abernathy and Rev. King. He was a force in the civil
rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama that "energized the national
civil rights movement". Rev. Shuttlesworth, also known for standing up
against the likes of Eugene “Bull” Connor and the Ku Klux Klan, will
also be known as a black man who “walked with dignity and honor” and
one who lived by the words, "May the work I've done, speak for me."
Because of his staunch belief in racial unity and justice, he helped pave
the way and open doors for millions who were once denied because of the
color of their skin. The ripple effect of the impact of his work is infinite.
At Rev. Shuttleworth’s services in Alabama, U.S. Attorney General Eric
Holder said, "Without him there would be no me."
Source (data): AboutGreaterCincinnati.com Inspiration of the Month November/2011
Source (photos): The Birmingham News published photo courtesy Birmingham Public Library archives
nps.gov
who opened many doors for countless people he never met. A man of
humble beginnings, surrounded by poverty and discrimination in
Alabama during his childhood and adulthood, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth,
Sr., will forever be known for his fight for racial unity and equality. He
died October 5, 2011 at the age of 89 in Birmingham.
One of “The Big Three” of the Civil Rights Movement, he worked
diligently and steadfastly in the fight for Civil Rights with Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., and Rev. Ralph David Abernathy. Born in Montgomery
County, Alabama, Rev. Shuttlesworth, valedictorian of his high school
graduating class, spent most of his adult life in Cincinnati, Ohio where
he served as pastor of Greater New Light Baptist Church while
continuing his fight to advance the cause of civil rights - a fight he
started in his home state of Alabama.
Rev. Shuttlesworth, known as a “blunt talking preacher who braved
beatings, bombings and fire hoses” advanced the cause of civil rights and
was a fearless crusader, leader for the cause. Many believe he was the
force, a catalyst behind the movement that millions viewed through the
eyes of the charismatic leader Rev. King.
Rev. Shuttlesworth, who began his life as a social activist in 1954,
founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957
along with Rev. Abernathy and Rev. King. He was a force in the civil
rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama that "energized the national
civil rights movement". Rev. Shuttlesworth, also known for standing up
against the likes of Eugene “Bull” Connor and the Ku Klux Klan, will
also be known as a black man who “walked with dignity and honor” and
one who lived by the words, "May the work I've done, speak for me."
Because of his staunch belief in racial unity and justice, he helped pave
the way and open doors for millions who were once denied because of the
color of their skin. The ripple effect of the impact of his work is infinite.
At Rev. Shuttleworth’s services in Alabama, U.S. Attorney General Eric
Holder said, "Without him there would be no me."
Source (data): AboutGreaterCincinnati.com Inspiration of the Month November/2011
Source (photos): The Birmingham News published photo courtesy Birmingham Public Library archives
nps.gov
AGC Did You Know?
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Posted February 2012