Winonah Myers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Winonah Beamer
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| Born | September 10, 1941 |
| Died | March 16, 2018 (aged 76) |
| Occupation | activist |
| Spouse(s) | David Myers |
Margaret Winonah Beamer Myers (September 10, 1941 – March 16, 2018) was a brave American activist. When she was just 19 years old in 1961, she became a Freedom Rider.
Freedom Riders were people who wanted to end segregation in the southern United States. Segregation meant that Black and white people were kept separate in many public places. This included buses, schools, and restaurants.
The Freedom Riders rode buses across states to show that segregation on buses was against the law. The U.S. Supreme Court had already said it was illegal. Winonah Beamer was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, for her part in these protests. She spent almost six months in a prison called Parchman Farm. She was the only Freedom Rider to stay in prison for her full sentence.
Joining the Freedom Riders
Winonah Beamer was a white student at Central State University in Ohio. This university was historically for Black students. In the summer of 1961, she decided to join the Freedom Riders.
She traveled with four other activists by train. They went from Nashville, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi. On June 9, 1961, they were arrested at the train station.
Standing Up for Change
While in prison, Winonah Beamer refused to pay bail. This meant she chose to stay in prison. She also refused to appeal her case. She believed it was important for someone to serve the time. She wanted to show that the protest was serious.
She was jailed on June 11, 1961. She stayed in the prison system until Christmas Day that year. She spent much of her time near the men's death row section. She could even talk to some of the people there through vents.
Winonah Beamer was one of 436 activists, both Black and white. Together, they helped to change the system. She once said, "Our feeling at the time was, 'We're going to keep coming and we're going to flood your jails, cram your dockets and break you financially.'" This showed their strong determination.
Life After the Protests
Winonah Beamer married David Myers in 1962. She spent most of her life helping people with intellectual disabilities. She worked at several places in Ohio. This included 22 years with the Montgomery County Board of Mental Retardation.
She lived in Tampa Bay, Florida, with her husband until she passed away.
