[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 77 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MRS. GERTRUDE GRENADA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
hometown Civil Rights era activist, Mrs. Gertrude Grenada. Mrs. Grenada 
has shown what can be done through hard work, setting goals, and aiming 
high.
  Mrs. Gertrude Grenada was born March 16, 1933 in Hinds County, MS. 
Growing up in Bolton, Mississippi, Mrs. Grenada witnessed and 
experienced a multitude of injustices during an era of legal 
segregation and Jim Crow. Although at times frightened by intimidation 
tactics used against her family and others in her community, Mrs. 
Grenada maintained a resilient and determined spirit to make strides 
toward ending laws targeting the civil rights and liberties of African 
Americans.
  She received her formal education at the Southern Christian Institute 
(SCI), located in Edwards, Mississippi. After graduating from SCI, she 
attended Jackson State University and received a Bachelor's degree in 
Elementary Education. For many years, she played an instrumental part 
in educating preschool children through the Hinds County HeadStart 
Program.
  In addition to her commitment to education, Mrs. Grenada was very 
active in local strategizing and planning meetings with Freedom Riders 
and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. 
Because of her determination to invoke positive change during the Civil 
Rights Movement, Mrs. Grenada also participated in a number of marches, 
most notably alongside other well-known Civil Rights pioneers, such as 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Medgar Evers. In 1972, Mrs. Grenada 
volunteered her time to assist in the election of her hometown's first 
African American mayor. Her lifelong efforts toward establishing change 
in her community will be felt for generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
Gertrude Grenada for her astounding resolve to actively contribute to 
the cause during the Civil Rights Era in her community.

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