Mississippi Civil Rights Project

Byron Street
Fannie Lou Hamer is buried here, and thetombstone contains her oft-quoted phrase, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Besides registering African Americans to vote as part of Freedom Summer in 1964, SNCC also created Freedom Schools in the Delta, which focused on black history, politics, and artistic achievement.

915 Byron Street

In 1969, Fannie Lou Hamer bought 40 acres of land to use as a cooperative "Freedom Farm." The co-op allowed area families to receive vegetables from the farm for a modest one-dollar membership fee.

In 1969, the Hamers moved to this location. The lot was purchased by Charles McLaurin and Joe Harris (manager of the Freedom Farm, an agricultural cooperative launched by Mrs. Hamer).

From her niece's home in the community of Cascilla, Mississippi, SNCC worker Charles McLaurin took Mrs. Hamer to Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi in the fall of 1962.

Although it no longer exists, Joe & Rebecca McDonald's home once was located on this site (formerly 909 Reden Street).

Night riders were a very real danger to supporters of the Civil Rights Movement, especially so in the autumn of 1962.

This vacant lot on what was formerly known as Byron Street was the location of Mary Tucker's home. Area whites knew that Fannie Lou Hamer had moved here after leaving the Marlow plantation.

Amzie Moore, an African American businessman from nearby Cleveland, brought workers from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committe (SNCC) to Sunday morning services here on August 9, 1962.

Note: This site is located on private property outside Ruleville and is included here only to provide historical context.

1574 Highway 442, Doddsville, MS 38736