Includes bibliographical references and index.

Ella Baker : Toiling "in friendship" -- Daisy Bates : Protector of the young -- Leah Chase : Chef to the stars -- June Jackson Christmas : The good doctor -- Septima Clark : Mother of the movement -- Myrlie Evers-Williams : Turning tragedy into Action -- Fannie Lou Hamer : Driven by indignity -- Dorothy Height : The "Godmother" of Civil Rights -- Aileen Hernandez : Getting things done NOW -- Zilphia Horton : Highlander hero -- Ruby Hurley : The great investigator -- Dian Nash : The fearless fighter -- Rosa Parks : Taking a stand by sitting -- Gloria Richardson : Leading a movement in Maryland -- Jo Ann Robinson : Taking a back seat to Rosa Parks -- Modjeska Simkins : Tough activist, tough woman -- Gwendolyn Robinson Zoharah Simmons : Fighter for freedom.

This book shines a light on the unsung women of the Civil Rights Movement, women who overcame enormous odds to fight for the rights of Black Americans --

An inspiring and eye-opening look at the unsung women of the Civil Rights Movement. For decades, the women toiling both in the forefront and behind the scenes of the Civil Rights Movement have been overlooked. These women forced integration of schools, bus terminals, and restaurants. They organized protests attended by hundreds of thousands. They pressured lawmakers to give all Americans equal access to the ballot box. And they were doing their part in virtual anonymity and at great personal risk. The Spirit of Freedom : Powerful Women of the Civil Rights Movement honors the incredible contributions that women made to the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring the stories of seventeen women, including Ella Baker, Dorothy Height, Ruby Hurley, Gloria Richardson, and Jo Ann Robinson, this book highlights their life stories, personal struggles, and influences on the movement. It reveals how these women overcame enormous odds, confronted sexism, racism, risk of bodily harm, and threats to their lives, to impact a movement that resulted in attaining legal equality for Black Americans. The work of these women helped achieve the unequivocal right to vote, end segregation in public places, and open the doors for African Americans in all areas of society. Their contributions have been too-often ignored but are finally brought to life in The Spirit of Freedom. -- Provided by publisher.