Father Hesburgh Civil Rights
This photograph now hangs in the smithsonian institution s national portrait gallery.
Father hesburgh civil rights. Hesburgh emerged as a civil rights advocate and spokesperson for the commission. Father theodore hesburgh was a centerpiece of the civil rights movement over half a century ago and his leadership still resonates today. During a 1964 civil rights rally at chicago s soldier field. Civil rights commission in 1957 beginning fifteen years of service on the commission.
University of notre dame archives. Hesburgh who died thursday night was notre dame. Martin luther king join hands at the walk for freedom civil rights march in 1964. Assembling the sights sounds and writings of father hesburgh and organizing such a large volume of material into a cohesive story is even more so.
And others during a 1964 civil rights rally at chicago s soldier field. The rally whose operating costs reached 25 000 opened with two hours of jazz gospel music and entertainment including a 5 000 voice choir led by gospel singer mahalia jackson. This is not to say that father hesburgh himself is pro choice. Faithful catholics have been disappointed that the courage father hesburgh showed in advancing the cause of civil rights for african americans and other underrepresented groups did not seem to.
Attempting to tell the entire life story of father theodore hesburgh c s c would be a daunting task by any account. Hesburgh second from left and rev. Father hesburgh together with martin luther king jr. It shows father hesburgh notre dame s president together with martin luther king jr.
Faithful catholics have been disappointed that the courage father hesburgh showed in advancing the cause of civil rights for african americans and other underrepresented groups did not seem to extend to protecting the civil rights of the unborn. About father hesburgh life legacy. Eisenhower to the newly created civil rights commission in 1957. Champion of civil rights.
On july 2 1964 president lyndon johnson signed the landmark civil rights act outlawing discrimination based on race color religion sex or national origin father hesburgh was called the. That same year father hesburgh was awarded the medal of freedom the nation s highest civilian honor for his visionary work against elements of apartheid in america. The commission was intended to terminate the south s filibuster which was blocking civil rights legislation especially that which regarded voting rights from passing and becoming law.