Fannie Lou Hamer was a prominent civil rights activist in the 1960s who played a significant role in the fight for voting rights and equality for African Americans. Born in 1917 in Mississippi, Hamer grew up in a sharecropping family and experienced racial discrimination and poverty firsthand.

Hamer became involved in the civil rights movement in the early 1960s after attending a meeting about voting rights organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She became a key figure in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), which sought to challenge the all-white Democratic Party in Mississippi and promote the rights of African American voters.

Hamer gained national attention for her powerful speeches and activism, including her famous testimony at the 1964 Democratic National Convention where she spoke about the violence and intimidation faced by African Americans trying to exercise their right to vote.

Throughout her life, Hamer remained dedicated to the cause of civil rights and social justice, advocating for racial equality, economic empowerment, and political representation for marginalized communities. She co-founded organizations such as the Freedom Farm Cooperative and helped establish programs to provide food, healthcare, and educational opportunities to underserved populations.

Fannie Lou Hamer's legacy continues to inspire and empower activists fighting for racial justice and human rights. Her courage, determination, and resilience in the face of oppression have made her a revered figure in Black history and the civil rights movement.