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Introduction

Jimmy Lee Jackson, a young African American man from Marion, Alabama, became a symbol of the struggle for voting rights and racial justice in the 1960s. His tragic death on February 26, 1965, galvanized the Civil Rights Movement and inspired the historic Selma to Montgomery marches. Drawing from firsthand accounts, archival materials, and the testimonies of the Catholic sisters who witnessed these events, this exhibition sheds light on Jackson’s story, the sisters’ role in caring for him, and how this tragedy influenced many others to join the fight for justice. 

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Who Was Jimmy Lee Jackson?

• Background: Jimmy Lee Jackson was a 26-year-old deacon and woodcutter from Marion, Alabama. He was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, participating in peaceful protests and voter registration efforts.
• The Night of the Attack: On February 18, 1965, Jackson joined a nighttime march to the Marion jail to protest the arrest of a fellow activist. Alabama state troopers violently dispersed the crowd, and Jackson was shot while trying to protect his mother and grandfather from police brutality.

Video: Sister Mary Weaver Remembers the Night of the Attack
Sister Mary Weaver, a teacher at Saint Elizabeth’s School in Selma, recounts the chaos and fear that gripped the community the night Jimmy Lee Jackson was attacked. Her testimony provides a firsthand account of the violence and its immediate impact on Selma.

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“A High Price to Pay for Freedom”

• Sister Barbara Lum’s Role: Sister Barbara Lum was among the Catholic sisters who cared for Jimmy Lee Jackson during his final days at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Selma. She witnessed his suffering firsthand and heard him utter the words, “Sister, don’t you think this is a high price to pay for freedom?”
• Sister Barbara Lum shares her memories of caring for Jimmy Lee Jackson in his final days and recounts the moment he spoke those unforgettable words.

The Catalyst for Change

• From Tragedy to Action: Jimmy Lee Jackson’s death became a rallying cry for the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. eulogized him, calling him a “martyr for justice.” His death directly inspired the Selma to Montgomery marches, including “Bloody Sunday” on March 7, 1965.
• The Sisters’ Response: Moved by Jackson’s story and hearing the call by Martin Luther King Jr. to come to Selma and march, Catholic sisters from around the United States joined the marches. S. Roberta Schmidt, S. Rosemary Flanigan, CSJ’s from St. Louis were among them. Their presence was a powerful statement of solidarity and faith, demonstrating their unyielding commitment to social justice.

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The Legacy of Jimmy Lee Jackson

• A Symbol of Courage: Jimmy Lee Jackson’s life and death remind us of the high cost of freedom and the courage required to fight for equality. His story continues to inspire activists and advocates for justice today. The Sisters’ commitment of marching in Selma helped carry forward Jackson’s legacy. His unjust death garnered public outrage and the marches in Selma thereafter fueled and spread these feelings to those who had not been affected by the Civil Rights Movement personally or who were too privileged to care.

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Conclusion

Jimmy Lee Jackson’s death was a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement, sparking a wave of activism that ultimately led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His murder continues to challenge us to reflect on the sacrifices made for justice and the ongoing work needed to create a more equitable world.