626 East Lafayette Street - Ruleville, MS
When Fannie Lou Hamer delivered a speech, she would often introduce herself thus: “My name is Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, and I live at 626 East Lafayette Street, Ruleville, Mississippi.” This introduction did several things, but most notably it gave her a courtesy title (“Mrs.” was typically denied to black women) and it announced to the world where exactly she lived, and that she was unafraid about possible nighttime visitors.
In August 1962 after Hamer was fired and evicted from the Dee Marlow planation for trying to register to vote, she moved in with friends in Ruleville. It was there that the first assassination attempt was made on her life. The Hamers moved to this address in December 1962 after being expelled from the Dee Marlow plantation on account of her trying to register to vote. No doubt the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee helped her find a new place to live after they recruited her as a local organizer, activist and public speaker. Living here in what she called the “Sanctified Quarters,” Hamer would use this location for countless events over many years. Whether a clothing drive or a drop-off location for Freedom Summer volunteers, this location is one of the most important places in Mississippi civil rights history.Fannie Lou Hamer boldly introduces herself to the world and states her home address at 626 East Lafayette Street, Ruleville, Mississippi.
Fannie Lou Hamer proudly introduced herself: "My name is Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer and I live at 626 East Lafayette Street, Ruleville, Mississippi" at the Democratic National Convention in August 1964.
A forceful and fearless peaker, Fannie Lou Hamer was unafraid of night time visitors when she proudly announced her home address.
The vacant lot where Hamer's house at 626 E. Lafayette once stood. And where she received countless humanitarian donations for the poor.
A newspaper article where Hamer gave her address.
The late Hattie Jordan, who was instrumental in the construction of the Fannie Lou Hamer Museum Complex, walks our film crew down the street to Hamer's 626 address during the production of our film, Fannie Lou Hamer's America.
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