Roots Activity Learning Center
October's Heroes and Sheroes
We will also honor our present-day leader. Rev. Jessie Jackson, born October 8, 1941. Rev. Jackson has been instrumental in fighting against racial injustice throughout the 1960’s. He established People United to Serve Humanity (PUSH) and directed Operation Bread-Basket. He was also active in every phase of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In the 1988 election, he was the Democratic candidate for President, a source of pride for Black people everywhere, finishing second on the democratic ticket.
Fannie Lou Hamer (October 6, 1917 – March 14, 1977) was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi. She was an activist in the American civil rights movement. She was known for saying, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” She meant that she and other African Americans had endured discrimination and poverty for far too long.
We also honor the present day shero. Dr. Mae C. Jemison, born October17, 1956. Dr. Jemison became the first African American woman astronaut to travel in space. In 1993 Jemison resigned from NASA and established the Jemison Group, a company that researches, develops, and markets advanced technologies.