Juanita Abernathy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juanita Abernathy
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| Born |
Juanita Odessa Jones
December 1, 1931 Uniontown, Alabama, U.S.
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| Died | September 12, 2019 (aged 87) |
| Alma mater | Tennessee State University |
| Occupation | Civil rights activist, educator, businesswoman |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 5 |
Juanita Odessa Jones Abernathy was an important American civil rights activist. She worked hard for equal rights for all people. She was also married to Ralph Abernathy, another famous civil rights leader. Juanita was born on December 1, 1931, and passed away on September 12, 2019.
Early Life and Education
Juanita Odessa Jones was born in Uniontown, Alabama. She went to college at Selma University. Later, she studied at Tennessee State University and graduated from there.
Working for Change
Juanita Abernathy was a very busy person. She worked as a teacher and also for a company called Mary Kay Cosmetics. She helped lead many important groups. For example, she was on the board of trustees for the Morehouse School of Religion. She also helped the Atlanta Fulton County League of Women Voters and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
Fighting for Civil Rights
Juanita Abernathy played a big part in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This was a major event in the Civil Rights Movement. It happened from December 1955 to December 1956. During this time, African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to ride city buses. They were protesting unfair rules that separated people by race on buses.
In 1957, her home was bombed. This was a scary event, but it did not stop her from fighting for what was right. In 1965, she bravely walked in the Selma to Montgomery marches. These marches were very important for gaining voting rights for African Americans.
In 2013, the Atlanta City Council honored her for all her hard work and dedication. They gave her a special award called a proclamation.
Her Family Life
Juanita married Ralph Abernathy on August 31, 1952. They had five children together. Their names were Ralph David Abernathy Jr., Juandalynn Ralpheda, Donzaleigh Avis, Ralph David Abernathy III, and Kwame Luthuli Abernathy. Sadly, their first child, Ralph Abernathy Jr., passed away very soon after he was born in 1953. Their other children grew up and lived to be adults.
