Fannie Lou Hamer Statue

“If you build it, they will come.”

The History of the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Statue

In the fall of 2009, the ROAR Foundation, under the leadership of Mrs. Patricia Thompson, began its quest to commission the building of a life-size statue of civil rights icon Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer.  A local committee was formed, and discussions were underway on the best possible path to achieve the committee’s goal.  Of immediate concern were the challenges associated with fundraising projects in the name of Mrs. Hamer.  In the three decades following Mrs. Hamer’s passing, numerous initiatives were organized which promised to deliver programs and projects in honor of the civil rights legend:  some were successful, others were not.

A decision was made to expand the committee beyond the local community.  Mrs. Thompson reached out to Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt, Distinguished Professor of Social Work and Africana Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and Coordinator of Stockton’s Annual Fannie Lou Hamer Human and Civil Rights Symposium.   The symposiums began in 2004, marking the 40th anniversary of Mrs. Hamer’s historic speech at the 1964 Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  The College is located 12 miles west of the city.  Dr. Reid-Merritt was asked to join the committee and serve as the national chairperson.  She identified numerous Black Studies scholars in the broader, national community and asked that they serve on the committee as well.

How Much Will It Cost?

The Committee understood that its first responsibility was fundraising.  How much does a life size, full-length, bronze statue cost?  Artists were identified and estimates sought.  On average, the sum of $150,000.00 seemed a reasonable ballpark figure.  Could we possibly raise that amount of money and could it be done in time to commemorate Mrs. Hamer’s 95th birthday in October 2012?  In addition, the Committee needed to identify a fiscal conduit to manage the collection of funds being sought from supporters throughout the nation.  The National Black United Fund, Inc. (NBUF), under the direction of Mr. William Merritt, CEO, signed on as fiscal sponsors.

Amidst anxiety, fears and overwhelming optimism, the fundraising campaign was launched in 2010, utilizing a very aggressive public relations campaign.  Press releases were issued, email solicitations were sent to national networks, presentations made at local, state and national gatherings, and media interviews granted to whomever would offer airtime.  The Committee was in full begging mode!   Donations were sought from the rich and famous, national Black organizations, educational institutions, churches, politicians, scholars, students and every day Americans.  Committee members casted the net widely, utilizing personal and professional contacts to maximize fundraising efforts. 

After a year of hard work, it became evident that reaching a fundraising goal of $150,000 was no easy task.  The limited availability of funds also meant that the Committee could not enter into a contractual agreement to commission the art work.

During the spring of 2011, southern New Jersey sculpture Brian Hanlon happened across a news story which focused on the leadership efforts of a local professor to raise funds to build a statue of Fannie Lou Hamer, which would be housed not in New Jersey, but at the Memorial Garden in Ruleville, MS.  Hanlon, whose previous commissioned works included full-length bronze statues of famous athletic figures, was inspired by the story and wanted to contribute to the project.  He knew that the costs associated with such a project were prohibitive and decided to offer his services at cost.  Hanlon contacted Dr. Reid-Merritt at Stockton and proclaimed, “Your worries are over!”  For a fee of $85,000.00, he would accept a commission to create and complete the project.  After careful review, the Committee accepted his offer.

At the time of signing the agreement, the Committee acknowledged the need to raise an additional $50,000.00 within a year to fulfill the contract agreement.  The national chairperson and the National Black United Fund provided signatures to guarantee payment, due no later than September 2012.  Donations up to $1,000.00 had been received from individuals and organizations, but it was unlikely that this approach would yield the funds needed to successfully complete the project within the year. 

And then it arrived.  NBUF received a check for $10,000.00 from writer/poet Alice Walker with a note indicating, “I do this for my sister, Fannie Lou Hamer.”  The notice of the contribution turned the tide.  We were gonna make it!  Within a few months, significant contributions were received from AT&T Mississippi, Mississippi Freedom 50th Foundation, Inc. South Delta Planning and Development District, Inc, and Double Quick, Inc. The statue and the planned ceremony around the unveiling were secured. 

Successful Completion

Nearly 1000 people were present for the unveiling of the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Statue.  Hundreds of children from the local school district arrived in Fannie Lou Hamer T-shirts, provided by the Committee.  Local residents lined the streets, awed by the sheer power of the gathering.  It was a momentous event, successfully orchestrated by a committee of a select few individuals from different corners of the nation; many of whom had not even met each other until the day of the event.  - Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt