Personal Testimony
of
Flonzie Brown-Wright
A native of rural Farmhaven, Mississippi, Flonzie Brown-Wright grew up in Canton and attended both public and private schools in Farmhaven and Canton. She graduated from the Institute of Politics at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS and served the college as Vice-President of the Institute where she taught, "Grassroots Organizing and Campaign Management."
She was inspired to become involved in the civil rights movement in 1963, just after the assassination of Medgar Evers. She first met Fannie Lou Hamer at a MACE (Mississippi Action for Community Education) meeting.
Her inspiration continues in a myriad of creative community initiatives across the country where she lectures and provides motivational opportunities to a cross section of audiences. Her employment and professional career has spread from the dusty roads of Mississippi to the White House as she interacted with many individuals of national prominence. She continues to be a much sought after speaker.
“My Reflection of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer”
“I was introduced to Mrs. Hamer by Mrs. Annie Devine in the mid 1960's. She, Mrs. Victoria Grey and Mrs. Hamer were not only colleagues, but transformed the Mississippi Democratic Party. I organized many Mass Meetings in my hometown of Canton and invited her and her singers to share Freedom songs at those meetings. I also served as Mrs. Devine's driver and would often take her to the MACE office in Greenville for planning meetings with Mrs. Hamer.”
MACE (Mississippi Action for Community Education) was founded in 1967 by Annie Devine, Fannie Lou Hamer, Unita Blackwell, Amzie Moore and Rev. J.C. Killingworth. Their mission was to train a group of local leaders who could fan out into the Delta to connect people living in isolated rural pockets with education, resources and routes to activism. They also created one of the country’s first community development corporations, and went on to practice what is now called comprehensive community development—by tackling persistent poverty and a dearth of opportunity through everything from housing and jobs to social services and small businesses.
“My most memorable personal reflection of Mrs. Hamer was evident in what I characterize as "the fire" in her eyes. She spoke with such conviction and tenacity, one could not remain the same. Her message was in her eyes. It was vividly demonstrated before the nation in 1964 in Atlantic City when she testified at the Democratic Convention.
The nation lost a real outspoken "foot-soldier" upon her passing.”
Fannie Lou Hamer and JC Killingsworth at a senate hearing on poverty in Jackson, Mississippi, April 10, 1967, as members of MACE.
Flonzie Brown-Wright at the Centennial celebration honoring Hamer's 100th birthday in October 2017 in Ruleville, MS.
Unita Blackwell and Fannie Lou Hamer at the senate hearing on poverty in Jackson.