Euvester Simpson facts for kids

Euvester Simpson (born December 12, 1946) is an American activist who worked for voting rights during the Civil Rights Movement. This important movement happened in the 1950s and 1960s. When she was just 17, Euvester joined a group called the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She helped African Americans in Mississippi learn to read, write, and sign up to vote. She was a very active part of the movement from start to finish. She was also involved in a key event known as the Winona bus incident.

Euvester Simpson's Early Life

Euvester Simpson grew up in Itta Bena, Mississippi. Her father wanted her to get a good education. So, he sent her to Wisconsin for school. Later, Euvester returned to Mississippi. She enrolled at Amanda Elzy High School. It was during this time that she became involved in the fight for civil rights.

Joining the Civil Rights Movement

In 1963, when she was 17, Euvester Simpson joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). SNCC was a group led by students. They worked to end unfair treatment and gain equal rights for African Americans.

The Winona Bus Incident

On June 9, 1963, Euvester and other SNCC members were traveling. They were coming back from a workshop in Charleston, South Carolina. Their bus stopped in Winona, Mississippi. The group was arrested and put in jail. This happened because they were in a "white only" part of the bus station.

However, a rule from the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) said they had the right to be there. This rule meant that bus stations could not separate people by race. News about this unfair arrest spread widely.

Helping People Vote

After the Winona incident, Euvester Simpson worked even harder. She helped African Americans learn to read and write. She also taught them how to register to vote. This was very important because many African Americans were stopped from voting. She was even arrested while watching an election in Madison County. She was making sure the voting process was fair.

Life After the Movement

Euvester Simpson got married in 1965. She had five children. She stayed active with SNCC throughout the 1960s. After the main part of the Civil Rights Movement ended, she continued her education. She earned her bachelor's degree from Millsaps College in 1995.

In 2013, Euvester Simpson received an award. It was from the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute at Jackson State University. This award honored her important work.

Euvester Simpson also served on the board of the Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement. She helped plan the 30th anniversary of Freedom Summer in 1994. She also helped organize its 50th anniversary in 2014. Freedom Summer was a big effort to register African American voters in Mississippi. Today, she still goes to events that celebrate the Civil Rights Movement. She also shares her experiences in interviews and discussions.

Personal Life

In 2015, Euvester Simpson was a grandmother of 12. She lived in Jackson, Mississippi.