Today, Mayor Shirley Franklin was among 13 people inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. During the fourth annual event, which took place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, footprints of the honorees were embedded in granite as part of a permanent sidewalk display that leads visitors to the museum honoring Dr. King.
The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame was created as a permanent tribute to brave warriors of justice who sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all and is expected to enhance the historic value of the area, enrich cultural heritage, and augment tourist attractions.
“I am humbled to be on this podium with such brave and courageous souls, men and women, whose personal sacrifice and commitment changed and enriched our lives,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin.
This year's other inductees were noted journalist and author Lerone Bennett Jr., singer and songwriter Tony Bennett, advocate for children, families and the disadvantaged Marian Wright Edelman, attorney Frankie Muse Freeman, boxer Joe Louis, Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr., Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling, actor Sidney Poitier, Dr. Otis W. Smith, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the Honorable Lawrence Douglas Wilder, and educator and human rights activist Jean Childs Young.
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