Fannie Lou Hamer (1917–1977) at the Democratic National Convention

On August 22, 1964, the eyes of much of the nation were trained on Fannie Lou Hamer during her televised speech at the Democratic National Convention. The photographer of this Associated Press image, along with millions of others, listened to Hamer speak passionately about the voter suppression and state-sanctioned terrorism that affected Black people across the South. Combining a race, class, and gender analysis, Hamer espoused what can now be regarded as a Black feminist perspective with a humanist outlook: “We have a job as Black women to support whatever is right, and to bring in justice where we’ve had so much injustice.”

Long after her death, Hamer remained a role model for subsequent women’s organizations, including the progressive Women for Racial and Economic Equality. The organization issued this button decorated with Hamer’s portrait and named its annual award luncheon in her honor.