House Resolution 32

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. LEOLA GREEN BLACKMON AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Carroll County and the State of Mississippi lost a piece of living history upon the passing of zealous advocate and educator extraordinaire, Leola Green Blackmon; and

WHEREAS, born on July 13, 1925, as the fourth of seven children to Will and Lugenia Green, young Leola Green soon became known to her family as a "fighter and a biter," who was determined to become "somebody" in life; and

WHEREAS, as a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a school teacher, and her determination to accomplish this goal was so fervent that she remained in the eighth grade three years, not because she failed the grade, but because no high school for blacks existed at that time, and she desired to gain more education; and

WHEREAS, she married her fellow church member and soul mate, Percy Lee Blackmon, on March 17, 1945, becoming bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh, remaining faithful to the Biblical principal to be fruitful and multiply, they raised 11 children with Christian love; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing woman of Proverbs 31:10 virtue, she worked tirelessly for over 75 years in the C.M.E. Church in various positions including, Sunday School Teacher, Church School Superintendent and President of the Local, District and State Missionary Society; and

WHEREAS, not one to be hindered by environmental circumstances, she earned her GED through Mississippi Valley State College, and later matriculated through Saints Junior College and Tougaloo College to attain a higher education; and

WHEREAS, in the 1970s, she realized her dream of educating generations of children, by becoming a Headstart teacher; and

WHEREAS, in the 1960s, before Leola realized her dream of becoming an educator, she fought for others to realize their dreams of gaining a quality education by becoming the lone woman and youngest person involved in the Civil Rights Movement in Carroll County; and

WHEREAS, she joined her father, Will Green, Oscar Logan, Leon Wheeler, William B. Eskridge and Dewitt Nalls, in the Carroll County Civil Rights Movement; and

WHEREAS, her passion for positive change, motivated her to become a plaintiff in the Ayers v. Allain lawsuit to equalize funding among the state's black and white colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, her famous quote, "When I see injustice, I just can't hold my peace," stood as a motivational tool for many who were in the trenches and understood the paramount work that was necessary to create a profound change in the educational, electoral and social climate of Carroll County; and

WHEREAS, as a result of her zealous participation in Carroll County's movement, the public schools and voting systems within Carroll County became integrated; and

WHEREAS, for many years after marrying the love of her life, raising her family, attaining her education and fighting within the Civil Rights Movement, she remained a beacon of inspiration to many, and served as an motivational ambassador for those who were lost and hopeless by encouraging generations of students to allow education to move them from poverty to prosperity; and

WHEREAS, to cherish and honor her memory and continue her legacy of love and excellence, she leaves 11 children, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and loved ones; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the legacy of Civil Rights legends, such as Mrs. Leola Green Blackmon, who sacrificed their time, talents, energy and bodies to improve and enhance the lives of their fellow citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby honor the life, legacy and contributions of Mrs. Leola Green Blackmon and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Leola Green Blackmon and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.