Georgia Legislative Black Caucus honors Leesburg Stockade Girls
Leesburg Stockade Girls receive Fortitude Award during black caucus dinner
By Jennifer Parks
ATLANTA — The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus recently gave kudos to the 1963 Leesburg Stockade Girls with a Fortitude Award.
The caucus’ 2017 Heritage Dinner was held March 15 under the theme “A Call To Action: Celebrating Georgia’s Heroes and Sheroes.”
Shirley Green-Reese, one of the 15 stockade women, was among the honorees and accepted the award on behalf of the group.
“(The award) is one of the most prestigious honors,” said Green-Reese. “It meant (a great deal) to be recognized by a prestigious group. It’s just really an honor.”
At the dinner, a program booklet highlighted the Leesburg Stockade story along with several pictures of the environment the women, then 12-15 years of age, were under during their two-month confinement following their participation in a peaceful protest march in Americus in July 1963.
A PowerPoint presentation of the pictures from the stockade was also shown at the event, which was attended by about 900 people, Green-Reese said.
Reese, who has been acting as a the spokeswoman for the nine surviving members of the group, said she “was humbled, honored and equally excited” to receive the award, expressing thanks to state Rep. Park Cannon, D-Atlanta, for her support in recognizing the women and their fight for equal rights “as young and innocent foot soldiers” during the Civil Rights Movement.
She shared notes of appreciation to the caucus’ dinner chairpersons, Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, and Sen. Lester Jackson, D-Savannah, for being able to represent the story of the stockade and be a part of the event. She went on to share remarks about the caucus’ mission, its years of service as well as its programs and workshops that benefit mankind and give back to Georgia’s youth.
Reese also made note of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee officers who played key roles in the release of the girls after the 61-day ordeal. Among them were U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Atlanta; Julian Bond; James Foreman, and photographer Danny Lyon.
“(There was) recognition of heroes who made a difference in our release,” Green-Reese said. “(There were) heroes behind the stockade.”
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