America has lost a warrior of the Civil Rights Movement. Amelia Boynton Robinson died today in Alabama of a massive stroke. She was 104 years old.
Reports WSFA in Montgomery, Alabama:
Boynton’s family has released the following statement in regards to her death:
“After being hospitalized last month following a massive stroke, Dr. Amelia Boynton Robinson’s health continued to deteriorate. With deep sadness, we announce that she passed peaceably this morning with family and friends surrounding her at approximately 2:20 a.m. in Noland Hospital of Montgomery in Alabama. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Thank you. The Family
“The Family wishes to thank all who have contributed to Dr. Boynton Robinson’s medical expenses. There is still a need for financial assistance. Please feel free to make your contributions directly at PNC Bank, 102 East Rosa Parks Avenue, Tuskegee, Alabama 36083, under the ‘Amelia Boynton Robinson Conservatorship Account.’”
Boynton Robinson had a pivotal role in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights, which helped usher in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – a role that was later depicted in the movie Selma. She approached Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to come to Selma and nearly lost her life on “Bloody Sunday.” A year earlier, she became the first African-American woman from Alabama to run for Congress.
This past January, Boynton Robinson attended the State of the Union address, wheeled in by fellow “Bloody Sunday” marcher Rep. John Lewis (D, Georgia). She was there at the invitation of Rep. Terri Sewell (D, Alabama), who later asked that Boynton be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She had also been slated to receive a Phoenix Award from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation on Sept. 19 in Washington, D.C.
SOURCE: WSFA | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
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Civil Rights Warrior Amelia Boynton Robinson, Portrayed In “Selma,” Dies At 104 was originally published on newsone.com
