On the recordMarch 11, 2019
In honor of Women's History Month, I want to recognize Melinda Jones Williams. Melinda Jones Williams, a civil rights activist, was born March 14, 1950, in Americus, Georgia. She is currently a resident of Haines City, Florida, with one child, Jeffrey Jones. In July, 1963, Melinda Jones Williams was one of 15 young Black girls with a passion to change the bigotry and divisiveness in Americus, Georgia, by protesting a strong force of generational racism. During a peaceful protest, she was arrested along with 14 other young girls. These girls were all stolen, hidden from their parents, and locked in an abandoned building for over a month. There were no windows, toilets, and no source of water. This was their punishment for protesting a segregated movie theater. Melinda Jones Williams is one of the few remaining survivors of the Stolen Girls of Americus, Georgia. For that and her heroism in the civil rights movement, we thank you, Ms. Jones Williams. Recognizing Charlie Reed
