Lee & Terrell County, Georgia

Known as “Terrible Terrell” and “Lamentable Lee,” these two Southwest Georgia counties were notorious strongholds of white supremacy. In 1960, Blacks made up 52 percent of Terrell County’s population of 12,742. Only 51 were registered to vote. Similarly, in Lee County, Black people made up 62 percent of county’s population of 6,204, and had even fewer registered Black voters. Despite their lack of political and economic power, local Blacks kept the Freedom Struggle alive. In the mid-sixties, SNCC field secretaries leant support to their efforts, organizing voter registration drives and direct action campaigns in the counties.

People


Events

Faith Holsaert (left) and Peggy Dammond (right) at a meeting, undated, Faith S. Holsaert Papers, Duke University Penny Patch (left) and Peggy Dammond (right) at a meeting, undated, Faith S. Holsaert Papers, Duke University

Click Here to View Document
Southwest Georgia Project, December 27, 1963, crmvet.org