Fannie Lou Hamer’s America
THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE AWARD-WINNING FILM AND THE FANNIE LOU HAMER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER
Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human rights-activist, Fannie Lou Hamer, is known for her powerful speeches, soul-stirring songs, and impassioned pleas for equal rights. And though she is often overlooked for her accomplishments, she helped change laws and was very influential in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Besides her political advocacies during the 1960s, Hamer was also a humanitarian, providing clothing, housing, educational opportunities for the poor, and food for thousands through her Freedom Farm Cooperative and pig bank.
On this website, created and maintained by her relatives and the foremost Fannie Lou Hamer historians, authors and scholars, you’ll see and hear Fannie Lou Hamer as you never have before.
You’ll learn about her family, her beloved children, her fight for human rights, her humanitarianism, her untimely death and so much more. You’ll hear from her family and friends, and you’ll see what it took to bring her amazing story and her words to viewers in our film, Fannie Lou Hamer’s America, broadcast on PBS and WORLD Channel.
You’ll also have the opportunity to donate to our upcoming Virtual Museum and Library on this sitee that will feature personal papers, letters and items belonging to Fannie Lou Hamer.
You can also help us by donating to our Sunflower County Film Academy. This summer workshop was created to continue Fannie Lou Hamer’s mission of bringing educational programs to the Mississippi Delta. We teach high school students skills in the Digital Media field such as filmmaking, video production, writing, editing, broadcasting and journalism.
And finally educators, you will find invaluable tools to share with your students that will introduce them to this remarkable woman, her heroic efforts, and the sacrifices she made for the sake of freedom.
Coming Soon!
The Fannie Lou Hamer Virtual Library and Museum
Best TV Feature Documentary Or Mini-Series for 2022!
Fannie Lou Hamer's America Now Streaming!
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Fannie Lou Hamer's America Now Streaming! 〰️
You can now stream Fannie Lou Hamer’s America, on branded PBS platforms including PBS.org, and PBS apps for iOS, Android, iTunes, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast.
You can also hear personal stories from Fannie Lou Hamer’s family, including her daughter, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes, as they share rare photos of the human rights activist at home and with her children, in the Beyond The Lens segment that aired after the film.
To schedule a screening of Fannie Lou Hamer’s America, contact our educational distributor, Women Make Movies (WMM)
Fannie Lou Hamer’s America
A new and original documentary film told through the public speeches, personal interviews, and powerful songs of the fearless Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human-rights-activist. Read our story!
Broadcast Premiere On PBS: February 22, 2022.
Learn About Our Film Crew!
Meet the filmmakers, scholars and researchers who made this film possible through their hard work, patience and dedication. And educators, use our film’s Discussion Guide to teach your students more about Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and legacy.
Find Your Voice.
Teach your students more about the life and legacy of the
indomitable human rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer
Help Us Continue Her Mission!
DONATE TO: Fannie Lou Hamer’s America!
Help Support our Educational Website and K-12 Programs!
Among the many individuals who helped define the civil rights movement, Fannie Lou Hamer occupies a very unique place. Despite having an eighth-grade education, no other woman of that time was more vocal, visible or in demand as a public speaker than she was. One of her primary pedagogical legacies was enabling students in the Mississippi Delta to become the next generation of speakers and leaders.
We help them accomplish that through our Sunflower County Film Academy. This free summer workshop introduces high school students to the Digital Arts & Media fields. Using professional-grade production equipment, they learn how to make their own short films and documentary projects while researching their family history. We give them a creative outlet and prepare them for career opportunities in filmmaking, editing, broadcasting and more!
You can also support our upcoming Virtual Library and Museum on this website dedicated entirely to Fannie Lou Hamer!
Please help us by donating toward our effort!
“Meet The Makers” Panel
On Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, Fannie Lou Hamer’s America director and editor Joy Elaine Davenport and producer, Monica Land, were joined in conversation by Academy Award® nominee Aunjanue Ellis and writer and historian Dr. Keisha N. Blain about what the current generation of social justice warriors could learn from Fannie Lou Hamer's example. The event was moderated by Executive Producer of America ReFramed Erika Dilday. More than 600 registered for the event that was organized by GBH.
What’s News?
Learn about more Fannie Lou Hamer happenings and events across the nation.
