A Night to Remember: Foot Soldiers Park Commemorates 61 Years of the VRA

Foot Soldiers Park marked the anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) at its annual semi-formal event – Commemorating 61 Years of the Voting Rights Act — and Renewing the Fight to Protect the Right to Vote. It was a powerful evening of reflection, live music, fellowship and community. 

Civic leaders, elected officials, foot soldiers and community members gathered together to honor the courage of the foot soldiers whose sacrifices and determination helped advance voting rights in America.

The anniversary comes at a key moment in the nation’s history – as the Supreme Court recently weakened Section 2 of the VRA, opening the door for states to pass laws that purposely dilute Black voting power.

“When national protections are weakened, local collective action becomes even more important,” CEO Kimberly Smitherman exclaimed, rallying the crowd. “When history is challenged, we have to tell the truth louder. When people grow tired, we have to remind them what our elders taught us: freedom work has never been easy, but it has always been necessary.”

Kimberly gave a special acknowledgement to the life and legacy of our late co-founder Jo Ann Bland, and asked everyone to recommit to the work that Ms. Bland gave her life to.

She called on the guests and community at large to organize, educate themselves about the city’s civil rights history, share that history with their children, vote and hold their leaders accountable.

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was Foot Soldiers Park recognizing the 1965 foot soldier Albert Southall who marched with Ms. Bland, presenting him with a medal for their courage, sacrifice, and contributions to the movement.

As the evening came to a close, one thing was clear: the legacy of the foot soldiers lives on in every person committed to carrying the fight for voting rights forward.