Nearly 50 years after their sister was killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Ala., Sarah Collins Rudolph and Junie Collins Williams will share their story with members of the Omaha community as part of a special presentation at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
Rudolph and Williams will join Tracy Snipe, associate professor of political science at Wright State University, at the College of Public Affairs and Community Service Collaborating Commons from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13, two days prior to the anniversary of their sister’s death at the hands of a Klu Klux Klansman in 1963.
Addie Mae Williams, age 11, was the youngest of the four victims of the bombing – all of who were all African American girls. National outrage over the attack resulted in increased awareness and support of the Civil Rights Movement and marked a significant shift in the movement’s history.
Rudolph, who nearly escaped being a victim herself, spearheaded an effort to give her sister a proper burial and is currently writing a book called “Fifth Girl: Soul Survivor of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing.”
Williams is currently retired after working in the Department of Pension and Security for 13 years, but continues to guest lecture at universities and is collaborating with Snipe on a book about the bombings. As part of his work at Wright State, Snipe has written several books on political science and issues of race.
