Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Community Coalition for Social Justice (CCSJ) is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Voting Rights Act. On August 6th, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Act into law, responding to more than a century of voter disenfranchisement along race and gender lines that had, at times, included lethal violence. Though considered by experts to be the most significant piece of federal civil rights legislation, the Act has been weakened by both Supreme Court rulings and state laws in recent years.
CCSJ's free, public celebration is set for Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM in classrooms A and B of the Osher Lifelong Learning (OLLI) Center in the Mountaineer Mall, 5000 Greenbag Rd. At 6:30 p.m., renowned historical interpreter Ilene Evans will portray Coralie Franklin Cook (1861- 1942), a graduate of Storer College in Harper's Ferry. Cook, whose ancestors were enslaved at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, went on to become a college professor and powerful public speaker and advocate of voting rights for all.
In addition, an exhibit, book sale, and refreshments are also included in the festivities. The exhibit features a series of large-scale commemorative panels designed by local artist Eve Faulkes. The panels highlight the dramatic story of West Virginia's ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, legalizing women's right to vote, as well as the connection between the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. Faulkes designed and illustrated the award-winning 2024 graphic novel, West Virginians' Experiences in Civil Rights: How We Have Been Connected All Along. CCSJ produced the book, which won a History in Leadership Award from the American Association for State and Local History. The book is available for $16.05, with payment by cash, check, or card.
Those wishing to attend via Zoom must register at https://olliatwvu.wufoo.com/forms/m2fl5u40czj5lw/_in advance. They will receive the link to the presentation the morning of August 7th. The same link may be used for those who prefer to attend in person, although that is not required.
The exhibit will then be at the Morgantown Public Library, 373 Spruce Street, Morgantown, through the end of August.
The City of Morgantown has provided funds to support this event. CCSJ also appreciates the support of the Morgantown Human Rights Commission, Morgantown/Kingwood Branch of the NAACP, and First Presbyterian Church, Morgantown.
The Community Coalition for Social Justice connects people from Morgantown and nearby areas to promote social justice in the community, including religious organizations, faculty and staff of area schools and the University, labor unions, and community advocacy organizations.
For more information about CCSJ, please go to www.ccsjwv.org or email ccsjwv@gmail.com.

Category: Community | History