Three books that I have enjoyed reading are Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito, Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson, and The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard. These stories bring out the strength, determination, and perseverance of different individuals and groups.
If you are interested in learning more about the individuals in the stories, I have included links to the books being read online and videos.
I hope your students enjoy learning about Georgia Gilmore, the Birmingham Children, and Mary Walker!
Pies From Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott
This is an interesting story as we learn about an individual and her team who worked behind the scenes to support the Montgomery bus boycott that started in 1955. Georgia Gilmore and the Club of Nowhere cooked and baked food to raise money to support the action. She was fired from her job when they found out she was a part of the boycott. Martin Luther King, Jr. encouraged her to start her own cooking business. The business took off and many people went to her house for meals. In addition to this, her home became a meeting place for civil rights leaders. When the boycott was over, Georgia Gilmore kept on cooking as there was more work still to be done.
Read Aloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFOf2Tp_jl8&t=10s
Interview with Georgia Gilmore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV-JnFRmsOY&t=26s
Let the Children March is about the Birmingham Children’s Crusade, that took place in Alabama, May 2 – 10, 1963. As Black parents were fearful of losing their jobs, their children decided to march in their place. It was a nonviolent protest that was led by Black children against segregation. The violent ways they were treated by the police was captured by news photographers and television crews. The country and the world were horrified by what they saw. Not long after this exposure, the white city officials and Black civil rights leaders reached an agreement. The actions of the children played an important role in ending legal segregation.
Book Read Aloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbSyjMtFt0k
Children’s Crusade of 1963 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV0k-3Hkjsw
Britannica Article https://www.britannica.com/event/Birmingham-Childrens-Crusade
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard
In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. She did not learn how to read until she was 116 years old. She was certified as the nation’s oldest student and was twice named Chattanooga’s Ambassador of Goodwill. She died when she was 121 years old.
Read Aloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDdBZAvWreo
