Thursday, July 13, 2017

Promoting Anne Moody: How to Keep Her Legacy Alive


By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Chairman, Anne Moody History Project

Copyright© 2017

I recently shared this document on a couple of my academic web pages, including Figshare.com ( https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.5134810.v1 )


#AnneMoody

This is an overview of the Anne Moody History Project (AMHP) and its plans to promote and help preserve the legacy of Anne Moody (1940 - 2015). Moody was a civil rights pioneer and the famous author of Coming of Age in Mississippi. She grew up in Centreville, Miss., where she overcame poverty, racism, persecution, and the threats of death. She became a respected leader in the Civil Rights Movement.

This document presents a list of practical ideas adapted by AMHP for promoting Moody's history. The ideas include promotional work through schools, churches, the local community, government agencies, social media, and the news media. In addition to honoring her with a street and highway bearing her name, AMHP plans call for having a proclamation issued for “Anne Moody Day.”

As AMHP chairman, I have said the promotional campaign is about “history, education and tourism.” Current and future generations need to know Moody’s story.

Note: Readers are encouraged to follow updates on Ms. Moody’s history by following @AnneMoodyHP on Twitter


(1940-2015)

Promoting Anne Moody

A 21-Point Plan for Sharing Her Story, Honoring 

Her Memory, and Keeping Her Legacy Alive



The Anne Moody History Project

“Keeping Her Legacy Alive”

The Anne Moody History Project (AMHP) was established in March 2017 by the staff of MTC/Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) as a community service endeavor in public history for Wilkinson and Amite Counties. Its aim is to honor Ms. Moody by promoting and helping to preserve her legacy as a noted author, civil rights pioneer, and historical figure in Mississippi.

Ms. Moody, born Essie Mae Moody on Sept. 15, 1940, was a civil rights activist and the author of Coming of Age in Mississippi (Dial, 1968). She was reared in Centreville, Miss., and later moved to Woodville, Miss.  When she died on Feb. 5, 2015, she was living in Gloster, Miss.

Our Mission

The AMHP’s mission is to honor Ms. Moody’s memory and keep her legacy alive through programs and activities that educate the public about her achievements as a civil rights activist, her work as an author, and her life history as a native of Mississippi. The AMHP seeks to be a source of learning for students, churches (and other religious institutions), and the general public on the significance of Ms. Moody’s historic contributions. In this capacity, it is believed, the AMHP can help to foster a better understanding of race relations and diversity in the south and other parts of the United States.

Honoring Anne Moody

The AMHP has outlined a number of ways to honor Ms. Moody’s legacy. Below is the 21-point plan that it intends to follow in order to achieve its mission in promoting -- and helping to preserve -- her life history and her contributions as a writer and civil rights activist. This plan will be revised occasionally as the need arises.

1. Have a street and highway named in her honor

* The Centreville street where she grew up (and where her family now lives), could be named, “Anne Moody Street.”
UPDATE: On Thursday, June 15, 2017, the Centreville Board of Alderman approved AMHP’s request for a resolution to rename Fort Street, “Anne Moody Street.”

* Highway 24 East from Woodville to Gloster could be named, “Anne Moody Highway.”
UPDATE: On Monday, June 5, 2017, the Wilkinson County Board of Supervisors approved AMHP’s request for a resolution to name a portion of Highway 24 East “Anne Moody Highway.” The matter will now go to Mississippi State Rep. Angela Cockerham for approval on the state level.

2. Have a day named in her honor

* A request for a proclamation for “Anne Moody Day” will be presented to the Centreville Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
 UPDATE: On Thursday, June 15, 2017, the Centreville Board of Aldermen approved AMHP’s request for a proclamation to be issued for “Anne Moody Day,” which will be observed on her birthday, September 15.

3. Erect or post historical markers

* The marker could present a brief statement about Anne Moody’s historic achievements.
* The marker could be located in a number of places in Centreville, including a street, Highway 24, or near her family’s home.

4. Post a sign or billboard in Centreville, Miss.

* A sign could have the words, “Welcome to Centreville, Home of Civil Rights Pioneer Anne Moody.”

5. Post a sign or billboard in Woodville, Miss.

* A sign could have the words, “Visit Centreville, Miss., Home of Civil Rights Pioneer Anne Moody.”

6. Acquire Anne Moody Collection

* The family of Anne Moody will be asked to donate some of her personal property to the African American Museum or Woodville Public Library, both in Woodville, Miss., for special exhibits.

7. Establish online presence

* A website will be created as the home base and central hub for all things related to Anne Moody’s history.
 UPDATE: The AnneMoody.org domain was acquired on April 17, 2017.
 * Accounts will be opened for social media websites, such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. Accounts may include academic websites.
 UPDATE: Account for Twitter was opened on May 4, 2017. Twitter handle is: @AnneMoodyHP
 * A blog will be used to post news, updates, photos, and commentary.

8. Have her childhood home listed as historic property

* The building, located on the corner of Fort Street and Hospital Road, may be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 * Meetings will be held with the Moody/Jefferson family members to determine their interest in placing the home on the national register.

9. Record oral histories

* Audio and video recordings will be made of Anne Moody’s immediate family members and friends.
* All recordings will be preserved.

10. Create historic monument/plaque for Centreville Park

* Monument will be made of brick or stone, etc.
* Monument will include an image of Anne Moody and her book, along with a brief biography.

11. Create portrait (painting or drawing) of Anne Moody

* The art work may be done by a student, offender, or professional artist.
* The art work may be done in oil, watercolor, pencil, charcoal, or pen and ink.
* The art work will be donated to a government facility, library, school or museum.

12. Work with elected officials and government agencies

* Advice and ideas will be sought for effective ways to share Anne Moody’s story using government resources.
* Funding/grants will be sought for various aspects of the project.

13. Work with the news media

* Stories/press releases will be shared with the press (local, regional, national)
* Interviews will be given to the press (local, regional, national)
* Photographs and videos will be share with the press.

14. Establish education outreach

* Syllabus based on Coming of Age in Mississippi will be created and shared with classroom teachers/professors.
* Representatives of AMHP will visit schools K-12
* Representatives of AMHP will visit colleges and universities.
* Schools will be asked to include the book, Coming of Age in Mississippi, in their classroom discussions.
* Copies of the book will be donated to selected schools.

15. Distribute promotional products

* Various products, such as pens, caps, key chains, T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc., will be used to share and promote Anne Moody’s history.
 * A logo will be designed using Anne Moody’s name, her image (or something related to her history) and her favorite color.

16. Create Anne Moody calendar

* A chronological timeline based on Anne Moody’s life history and other key moments in Black History will be used to identify important dates for the Anne Moody Calendar.
 * Images of Anne Moody and events related to her story will be sprinkled throughout the calendar.

17. Hold Anne Moody Tours

* Key places/sites in Anne Moody’s life history will be identified in Woodville and Centreville.
* The tours will be held during special events in Natchez and Woodville and other selected times during the year.
* A van or other suitable vehicle will be used to provide tours to the key sites. A fee may be charged.

18. Engage Academic Community

* Research on Anne Moody will be on-going.
* Efforts will be made to present papers at academic conferences.
* Efforts will be made to publish books and articles in academic journals.

19. Release publications

* Popular books will be written and published about Anne Moody’s history.
* Brochures and booklets will be written and published, and distributed as promotional tools.

20. Participate in prison outreach

* Special Anne Moody program will be held at least once a year in jails and prisons.
 UPDATE: Special Anne Moody program was held on June 12, 2017, at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility, Woodville, Miss.
 * Anne Moody book club will be organized for offenders and/or correctional staff.
 UPDATE: Offenders at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility began reading Coming of Age in Mississippi in May 2017.

21. Work with restaurants and eateries

* Promotional table mats will be created for special occasions or on-going events related to Anne Moody.
* Establishments will be asked to serve her favorite meal (red beans and rice with fried chicken) on Anne Moody Day.
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Author’s Note:
Questions about the Anne Moody History Project may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com For updates on Anne Moody history and the on-going work of this community service project, please follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). Ideas and suggestions are also welcomed.

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