On Saturday, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 recipients including late civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. HCF joins the nation in expressing “its gratitude to President Biden for recognizing Hamer’s significant role in American history and her instrumental work as a voice for her people and the civil rights movement. While her work is not yet complete, Hamer’s activism in promoting racial justice and her legacy in advancing civil rights and women’s rights in Mississippi will forever be cherished.”

Fannie Lou Hamer, who famously registered Black voters throughout Mississippi and the south and advocated for voting and women rights, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom, which was accepted by her niece, Doris Hamer Richardson.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

“This historic moment, bestowed upon Fannie Lou Hamer, is a testament to her pivotal role in preserving our rights in this country. As an native of Mississippi, she courageously stood before the Democratic National Convention to advocate for voting rights, only to face brutal beatings for her efforts for the people of this country. Yet, she never lost hope or her unwavering commitment to her people and her cause. I extend my deepest gratitude to President Biden for this well-deserved honor to such an iconic figure who holds immense admiration in my heart,” said Demetrius Johnson, Jr., HCF Founder, President and CEO.

The White House named Hamer as “one of the most powerful voices of the civil rights movement.” Hamer, a prominent figure of the civil rights movement, played a significant role in organizing and registering Black voters. Her activism led to her being brutally beaten, but she remained steadfast in her commitment to justice. Hamer served as the vice-chair of the Freedom Democratic Party and collaborated with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to organize the Mississippi Freedom Summer. She passed away in 1977.

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