[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF EVELYN LOWERY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2013

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to the life and legacy of Civil Rights Activist Evelyn Gibson 
Lowery, a beloved civil servant remembered for her remarkable display 
of leadership and civil rights activism.
  Mrs. Evelyn Lowery passed away on Thursday, September 26 at the age 
of 88. While I am deeply saddened by her passing, I am comforted in 
knowing that her legacy is one that will live on through her 
involvement in the Civil Rights Movement at local, regional, national, 
and international levels.
  Mrs. Evelyn Lowery was born in 1925 in Memphis, Tennessee to 
activists Rev. Dr. Harry and Evelyn Gibson. She attended Clark College 
and Youngstown University. In 1948, she married Rev. Joseph Lowery. 
Evelyn dedicated her life to the cause of justice.
  Mrs. Evelyn Lowery and Rev. Lowery participated in the 1965 Selma-to-
Montgomery march in Alabama and stand as an inspirational couple as 
pioneers in the Civil Rights Movement. Upon the death of his wife, Rev. 
Lowery was quoted, ``My beloved Evelyn was a special woman, whose life 
was committed to service, especially around the issues of empowering 
women. She was a wonderful mother and wife and I thank God. . .that I 
was blessed having her as my partner, my confidante and my best friend 
for almost 70 years.''
  Mrs. Evelyn Lowery founded the SCLC/Women's Organization Movement for 
Equality Now Inc. in 1979 as the sister organization of the Southern 
Christian Leadership Conference which was founded by Rev. Lowery and 
other Civil Rights Activists. Her decision to found this organization 
was prompted by her weariness of seeing the rights of women, children 
and families ignored. Through Evelyn's inspiring leadership and 
guidance, the SCLC/W.O.M.E.N Inc. has more than accomplished its 
mission of reacting and responding to the plight of marginalized 
people. The organization has grown into an international association 
with programs offering education and mentoring in addition to HIV/AIDS 
awareness campaigns throughout the world.
  Mrs. Evelyn Lowery not only participated in the Selma-to-Montgomery 
march in 1965 but she and Rev. Lowery have been instrumental in the 
commemoration of Bloody Sunday nearly every year since. She also 
contributed to the erection of the Civil Rights Freedom Wall at the 
Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama.
  Mrs. Evelyn Lowery founded several prominent programs including the 
Drum Major for Justice Awards Dinner in 1980 honoring those who 
contribute to social justice in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and 
the Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Tour honoring civil rights 
movement icons. In 1988, she founded the Women's Empowerment Training 
Center for GED/computer training. In 1995, Evelyn founded a mentoring 
program for young girls.
  Mrs. Evelyn Lowery has been described by several in the civil rights 
community as a champion in the civil rights movement and a ``drum major 
for justice in her own right.'' Her legacy will live on in the hearts 
and minds of all of those who benefitted from her contributions to 
justice and equality.
  Mrs. Evelyn Lowery received many awards and recognitions for her 
tremendous contributions to the cause of justice. Evelyn was appointed 
by Atlanta's former Mayor Maynard Jackson to arrange clothes for 
missing or murdered children for burial. She was the recipient of the 
Rosa Parks Award, the APEX Museum's Tribute Award, and the YWCA Academy 
of Women Achievers Award. Evelyn was recognized as one of the 100 most 
influential women in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business League's Women of 
Vision. She was honored in 2004 at the International Civil Rights Walk 
of Fame at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in 
Atlanta, Georgia.
  Evelyn's instrumental role in the Civil Rights Movement has made an 
indelible mark on this nation. Today we honor her for her role in the 
story of the Civil Rights Movement. As the first black woman elected to 
Congress from Alabama I am humbled to stand before the nation and share 
her story of strength, compassion and courage.
  Saying thank you to Mrs. Evelyn Lowery seems woefully inadequate. 
But, we are truly grateful for the life of this extraordinary public 
servant. On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of 
Alabama and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
life and legacy of Mrs. Evelyn Lowery.

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