Jackson Advocate  -  Jackson, Mississippi  -  November 8-14, 2018

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JANS- Family, friends, and loved ones from all over the country (including the Netherlands) assembled on November 3rd at the Two Mississippi Museums to salute Dr. Flonzie Brown Goodloe Wright in celebration of the 50th year anniversary of her historic election. On November 5th, 1968 in the biracial town of Canton, MS, Flonzie Goodloe (at the time) was elected as the first African American female Election Commissioner from the state of Mississippi pre/post Reconstruction. 

 

The evening began with a formal reception in the Hall of History, catered by Bettina's of Canton, while the Jessic Primer Trio serenaded the audience with beautiful music. The audience then gathered in the Trustmark Auditorium to hear historical tributes from Re. Wendell Paris, Rev. Rims Barber, Rev. Barbara Devine Russel (daughter of Annie Devine), Myrtle Addison, Dr. Beverly Hogan, Angela Stewart, Dr. James Ewers, and Dr. Cynthia Fraction. Several highlights included a reading by grade school student Mahalia Calvert and a dynamic "Out of the Box" engagement by Marquise Hunt. Pamela Junior, director of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum served as the program host and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History served at the premiere sponsor. 

 

Guests were moved by hearing from the late Frank and Littie Brown (Wright's parents) via video, who were interviewed prior to their deaths about their fears of their daughter's involvement in the Civil Wrights Movement. The evening ended when Cynthia Goodloe Palmer and Darrell Goodloe (children) presented their "Freedom Fighter" with a beautiful trophy commemorating her historic election and 50 years of advocacy. 

 

Pictures Jay D. Johnson