Anne Moody Day Celebration Set in Centreville, Miss.

Event will be held at 12 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15, 2017

#AnneMoody

From the front page of The Woodville Republican 
(Thursday, August 31, 2017)
Woodville, Mississippi

Special thanks to Editor and Publisher Andy Lewis.

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Anne Moody, native of Centreville, Miss., was a civil rights pioneer and
the author of Coming of Age in Mississippi.

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Editor'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, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississippi

Anne Moody featured on Mississippi Literary Map

She joins more than 20 other writers recognized 
for their achievements

By Roscoe Barnes III
Chairman, Anne Moody History Project
Copyright (c) 2017

#AnneMoody

Civil rights pioneer Anne Moody is taking her place among other famous writers in the great state of Mississippi. Thanks to the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC), she is now featured on the Mississippi Literary Map.

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Anne Moody's portrait on the 
Mississippi Literary Map

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Moody, who died at the age of 74 in 2015, is the author of Coming of Age in Mississippi. She was a native of Centreville, Miss., in Wilkinson County. This is her first time being featured on the map, which was unveiled Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at the third annual Mississippi Book Festival at the Mississippi State Capitol. She joins more than 20 other authors on the current literary map. The last map was created in the mid-1990s.

Moody’s book is an autobiography. It chronicles her life as a poor black girl growing up during segregation in rural Mississippi. The book tells a heart-breaking story of how she fought racism and poverty, faced death threats, and became a pioneer in the civil rights movement. The book was first published in 1968 and has reportedly remained in print since that time. According to Library Services Director Tracy Carr, Moody’s book is a “wonderful” read that bears an important message. She noted: “Moody’s powerful, unwavering voice of her life and experiences provides readers—especially Mississippians—with a descriptive portrait of a specific slice of history.”

Announcement of the new literary map came in April by the Mississippi Center for the Book, which is located at the MLC. The project was funded by a Bicentennial Grant through the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC). 

An MLC press release noted 21 Mississippi authors are featured on the map by portraits illustrated by Mississippi artist Ginger Williams Cook, who is “known for her illustrative, whimsical portraits.” Some of the featured authors are represented simply by text. According to Carr, the list of authors includes both prominent and “undervalued Mississippi writers.” Each of them was chosen by a selection committee, she said.

Although many authors are recognized, the purpose of the map is not to offer an exhaustive list of writers. Instead, it presents a good sample of the authors who have gained national notoriety and won prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize and the Pulitzer, according to the MLC.

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Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, unveiled the literary map at the third annual
Mississippi Book Festival on August 19, 2017 at the Mississippi State Capitol.
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Carr, who also serves as the director of Mississippi Center for the Book, suggested the map is a good way to recognize the state’s writers and their contributions. “This being Mississippi’s bicentennial makes it the perfect opportunity to look back and celebrate the state’s literary treasures as well as recognize some overlooked authors,” she said.

Carr was a staunch supporter for including Moody on the Mississippi Literary Map. “I was part of the committee that selected the names, and she was a unanimous pick,” Carr said. The author selection committee voted in February of 2017.

“I really wanted her on the map,” Carr said, adding she was “so impressed” with Moody’s contribution to Mississippi history and literature. She also was surprised at the lack of attention given to her contributions.

“I was a little shocked that she hadn’t gotten the recognition she deserved,” Carr said.

Carr's family is from Centreville, Moody’s hometown. She said her family once owned a drug store in the small town, which is situated between Woodville and McComb.

“I just read Coming of Age in Mississippi about six months ago and it was wonderful,” she said. “It made my hair stand up on my head. I couldn’t believe I’d never read it before, and I found the experience pretty transformative.”

Writers on the Mississippi Literary Map

List of writers featured (with portraits) on the Mississippi Literary Map: Anne Moody, Barry Hannah, Beth Henley, Brad Watson, Donna Tartt, Elizabeth Spencer, Ellen Douglas, Ellen Gilchrist, Eudora Welty, Jesmyn Ward, Kiese Laymon, Larry Brown, Lewis Nordan, Margaret Walker Alexander, Natasha Trethewey, Richard Ford, Richard Wright, Tennessee Williams, Walker Percy, William Faulkner, Willie Morris

Additional names (without portraits) include: W. Ralph Eubanks, John T. Edge, Greg Iles, Ida B. Wells, Beth Ann Fennelly, Tom Franklin, John Grisham, Mildred Taylor, Jack Butler, Shelby Foote, and W.A. Percy.

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Tracy Carr

Tracy Carr is the Library Services Director at the Mississippi Library Commission. She also is the director of the Mississippi Center for the Book.

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References/Resources:

Mississippi Library Commission

http://mlc.lib.ms.us

Mississippi Literary Map

http://msreads.lib.ms.us/mslitmap

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Editor'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, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississippi

Anne Moody's Impact on Her Family and Community

An Interview with Her Sister-in-Law, Sherry Jefferson
By Dr. Stephanie Scott-Sullivan
Guest Post -- Copyright © 2017

#AnneMoody

Note: This guest post is a presentation that was given by Dr. Stephanie Scott-Sullivan on Monday, June 12, 2017, during the Anne Moody Program held by Wilkinson County Correctional Facility in Woodville, Miss. The program was organized by the Committee for the Anne Moody History Project -- Roscoe Barnes III

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Anne Moody
(1940-2015)
Author, Coming of Age in Mississippi

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In the voice of Anne, our very own honoree today:

 “I was sick of pretending, sick of selling my feelings for a dollar a day.” 

“But courage was growing in me too. Little by little it was getting harder and harder for me not to speak out.” 

“I had to live my life as I saw it.”

“It no longer seemed important to prove anything. I had found something outside myself that gave meaning to my life.” 

As I began to read highlights and interview some family members to refresh my memory about the experiences of Anne Moody’s history, I found I could identify with her being born and raised in the south with the ability to endure the hardship of poverty and being raised up in the home with 10 siblings. I too can say I didn’t allow any of this to stand in my way!

So, let us capitalize on her principles, her standards, and her beliefs by establishing a phenomenal momentum that will promote deep personal stories and portraits of a turning point in our nation’s destiny. Furthermore, we as a people must also keep her legacy alive because of what she stood for, accomplished, and what she endured for us as a people.

 

In the voice of Former President Barack Obama, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

He also said, “The future rewards those who press on. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on.”

And in the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

King also stated, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

The interview

In an effort to better understand the contributions of Anne Moody, I interviewed her sister-in-law, Sherry Jefferson, and her sister, Frances Jefferson. Here’s what they shared:

1. What was most inspiring about Anne Moody to your family and community?

At a time when the black community was living in total fear of the Ku Klux Klan and predominantly white racist law enforcement officials, Anne took a stand and joined the fight for our civil rights. She was and remains an inspiration to her generation of family members and the generations that followed. She instilled the importance of education in her nieces and nephews. The following generation, both nieces and nephews, have now earned college degrees and are successful entrepreneurs. The next generation is poised to follow.

2. What was most unforgettable about her?

She is most unforgettable for her strength and generosity to her immediate family and close friends; and for her wonderful sense of humor, and her beautiful smile. She was strong and always greeted everyone with a smile, IN SPITE OF the adversity she was fighting in her public or private life.

3. What would you as a family member like to take place in memory of her legacy in Centreville, Miss., or on the national level?

Her siblings are planning to build and dedicate a Learning Center in her honor in her hometown of Centreville.

4. How instrumental was she in the lives of her family?

She was and still is an inspiration to her generation, her family, and the generations that follow. We will continue to remind everyone of her legacy and instill in the next generations to never forget her journey and to never take for granted what she and many others fought for. We must continue to move forward and not become complacent.

5. How has her legacy affected this local community as well as other communities?

Her legacy serves as an inspiration to all in her hometown community. It proves the size of your community doesn't matter nor your economic status. If you believe in something, let your voice be heard.

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Dr. Stephanie Scott-Sullivan

Dr. Stephanie Scott-Sullivan is a native of Woodville. She is a graduate of Alcorn State University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Educational Psychology and a Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling. She holds a Specialist Degree and a Doctor of Education degree in teacher leadership from Walden University. She is a guidance counselor at Williams Winans Middle School in the Wilkinson County School District.

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Editor'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, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississippi

12 inmates earn GED at prison in Woodville, Miss.

Happy reunion!

GED graduate Walter Jones meets his daughter, Reniah Norwood, for the first time. She came to his GED graduation with his mother and two sisters.

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I'm thrilled to share this good news from Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF), Woodville, Miss., where I serve as chaplain. This was a great achievement for these offenders and a proud moment for them and their families. WCCF staff did a wonderful job in organizing the ceremony. Special thanks to Warden Jody Bradley, Deputy Warden Tonya Toomey, Major Terry Daniel, Education Supervisor Branton Lewis, and the Rev. LeReginald Jones, who served as guest speaker. -- Roscoe Barnes III

12 inmates earn GED at Wilkinson

WOODVILLE, Miss. – Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) recently held a GED graduation with a total of 12 offenders earning their GEDs. The facility is run by Management & Training Corporation (MTC) of Utah. MTC is a company that focuses on education, training and rehabilitation. WCCF had four graduates in 2016 and is striving to increase literacy.

“This is a great day,” Warden Jody Bradley told the graduates. “Nobody can ever take this away from you.”

The offenders, donning purple caps and gowns with white tassels, beamed with bright smiles as they participated in the ceremony that included staff and other offenders. Their families also attended the event, which was organized by the facility’s Education Department.

Offender Deondray Duff, valedictorian, said he felt good about earning the GED. “My dad wanted me to come to class and be a better father for my kids,” he said. “This will better me as a person. It will help me go to college and study computer technology.”

Shaniece H. Mabry, Director of Education for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, said she would not have missed the event for anything in the world.

“This is one step in a long journey,” she said. “Your current situation does not determine your future destination.”

Offender Walter Jones received his diploma and a special surprise: He saw his seven-month-old daughter, Reniah Norwood, for the first time. She had come with his mother and two sisters.

“I was nervous,” Jones said later. “I didn’t really know how to react. It was an indescribable feeling to hold her for the first time.”

Jones, 22, said he hasn’t really grasped how many doors the GED will open for him. “I know it’s a good thing and I’m glad I got to do it,” he said.

WCCF Class of 2017

These 11 offenders received their GED at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility in Woodville. Seated from left: The Rev. LeReginald Jones, guest speaker; Deputy Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey; and Education Supervisor Branton Lewis. Graduate Curtis Bennett, not pictured, did not attend the ceremony.

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In addition to Duff and Jones, the graduates included Salutatorian Larry Presley, Ira Hadley, Charles Dunaway, Clifton Washington, Chad Marshall, Roberto Mendez, Curtis Bennett, Andre Bass, Christopher Armstrong, and Jesston Pam.

The Rev. LeReginald Jones of Woodville served as the guest speaker. He is the pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Centreville and the St. John #2 Baptist Church in Woodville.

“Whatever life calls for, give it your best,” he said. “No matter the case, no matter the circumstances, do your best.”

Jones told the audience that doing their best is more important than being the best. At the conclusion of his message, the offenders received their diplomas as the audience burst into applause.

Education Supervisor Branton Lewis commended the graduates and thanked them for their dedication. “I knew they were going to pass because of the hard work they put in,” he said.

Tonya Toomey, WCCF’s new Deputy Warden of Programs, acknowledged their achievement while also recognizing the contributions of the WCCF instructors.

“Through the power of education, these students have persevered and succeeded,” Toomey said. “They have made a major accomplishment by getting their GED.”

Toomey and Lewis also recognized offenders Phillip Johnson, Marquise Flewellen, Peter Love and Darius Thomas for their work as classroom tutors for the GED class.

“I am very proud of you,” Toomey said to the graduates. “We are very proud of you.”

Proud achievement

Education Supervisor Branton Lewis (left), GED graduate Ira Hadley, and Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III. Hadley plans to attend seminary program at Parchman.

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Anne Moody leaves treasure trove of unpublished manuscripts

By Roscoe Barnes III

Chairman, Anne Moody History Project

Copyright© 2017

#AnneMoody

NOTE: I've been informed that Anne Moody's papers are no longer available at Emory University.

When Anne Moody spoke of her writing projects in an interview in 1985, she seemed excited about nine unpublished book manuscripts she had written at the time. She talked about them with passion and seemed eager to have them published. But for some reason, the manuscripts never saw publication.

When Moody died at the age of 74 on Feb. 5, 2015, in Gloster, Miss., she had only two books published to her credit. They included her famous autobiography, Coming of Age in Mississippi (1968), and her collection of short stories in Mr. Death: Four Stories (1975).

This book consists of four stories that were originally a part of Variations on a Dream of Death.  With only 102 pages, it was published in 1975 by Harper & Row. First edition was published as hardback. Amazon has a hardback copy listed at $48 and a paperback listed at $299.

Although much has been written about Coming of Age, which has remained in print since its publication in 1968, little is known about Mr. Death. The short story collection, a spinoff from her manuscript, Variations on a Dream of Death, was a break from her autobiographical writings. Amazon reviewer Kristin Traylor gave the book two out of five stars. She wrote: “The stories were all tragic, with characters just going straight into their destruction. No real character development. Her memoir, Coming of Age in Mississippi, was fantastic.”

Kirkus Review presented more light on the collection:

“Anne Moody's four stories of death are so impressively crafted that we wonder who (author? editor? promotion department?) designated them juvenile fiction. True, three of them have child protagonists, but the fourth--about a young woman and her doomed daughter, whom she believes bears the ""mark"" of a contrary cow her mother-in-law (spitefully, she believes) bestowed on her during her pregnancy--uncompromisingly adheres to the limited outlook of Truelove, the mother. And certainly there is nothing withheld or scaled down in the grisly ""Bobo"" wherein a little gift is eaten by her German shepherd, or any nuance overstated in ""All Burnt Up,"" remarkable for its keen, cool view of tangled interracial feelings and poses in the South. (Moody's protagonists, by the way, are black--a fact that is not incidental but is simply natural and unstated.) Of all the shocking endings only the title story's seems at all constructed or artificial, and even that follows with a good show of inevitability the compelling dream sequence that carries us up to that point. You might not agree with John Donovan's introductory assertion that these bone clean Southern gothics are really about love--but, as with Donovan's own Wild in the World (1971), you won't forget them.”

Moody did not initially consider herself a writer, but she enjoyed success as a best-selling author and she continued to write. Some of her work appeared in magazines, such as Mademoiselle. She has been quoted as saying, "In the beginning I never really saw myself as a writer. I was first and foremost an activist in the civil rights movement in Mississippi."

Why Moody’s other manuscripts were not published is something scholars will need to ponder. I have some personal thoughts about her reasons, but I’m not quite ready to share them. I’m still trying to confirm a few hunches and several stories I’ve heard.

Moody discussed her writings during an interview with Debra Spencer on Feb. 19, 1985, in the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Building. She was joined by her son, Sasha Straus. During the interview, Moody was clear about her intentions to publish. She said: “I do plan to get my books published….” Her unpublished manuscripts consisted of two autobiographical sequels, commentary and fiction. Since this interview occurred in the mid-1980s, it is possible that she wrote other material in her later years. Below is the list of manuscripts she described in the interview.

Anne Moody’s Unpublished Manuscripts

1. Farewell to Too Sweet

A finished manuscript, this is the sequel to Coming of Age in Mississippi. It focuses on Moody’s relationship with her mother, Elmira “Too Sweet” Williams Moody, who died in 1976. According to Moody, “The book began with her in the hospital room; it ends with her death.” Moody said the death of her mother was very traumatic for her.

2. Coming of Age in New York

This one discusses her 10-year marriage to Austin Straus. It covers the years of Moody’s life from 1974 to 1984.

3. Alternatives to Conventional Marriage

Moody described this work as “…a book of interviews with couples who found an alternative to the conventional things.”

4. Variations on a Dream of Death

Her book, Mr. Death, was a spinoff of this manuscript.

5. My Black Woman’s Book

This is a novel. Her friends and others reportedly thought it was her “most interesting piece of work.”

6. The Clay Gully

This is another novel. The idea for the story stemmed from the clay gully behind her grandmother’s house where she and other kids used to play.

7. Who Needs a Mouth?

This book is based on her brother who lost his ability to talk after suffering a head injury as a child. According to Moody, he fell off a table and injured his head. She was inspired to write this book after watching his reaction one day when he looked at his dad who had become angry and started swearing. She said it seemed as if her brother was thinking, “Who needs a mouth if this is all it is used for?” (my paraphrase).

8. Giraffe Book

This is a novel about animals. Said Moody: “I think the giraffe is the most beautiful animal in the world, and this book is about a woman who has a zoo.” The woman tries to use the zoo as a tool for integration in Mississippi. It is her hope that the zoo would engender diversity by attracting people of different races.

9. Apartheid and Worse in the Marshall Islands

According to Moody, this is “a book dealing with the nuclear issue. All the testing of the bomb, the weapons and things there.”

Based on this list, it seems that Moody remained busy as a writer. In the 1980s and 1990s, she also lectured and gave readings at a number of schools, including Tougaloo College. Her papers are housed at Emory University. Let’s hope that some of these manuscripts will soon see the light of publication so that we all may know more about this incredibly gifted woman.

References:

* Kirkus Review of Mr. Death

* I came across the Debra Spencer interview while browsing Wikipedia:

Spencer, Debra (February 19, 1985). "Transcript (74 pp.) of interview with Anne Moody" (PDF). Department of Archives & History Building. Jackson, Mississippi. p. 51. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-02. AU 76 OHP 403.

* Anne Moody’s papers are housed at Emory University. They were acquired by the university in 2012. NOTE: PAPERS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

* The Clarion-Ledger article: Anne Moody, author of 'Coming of Age in Mississippi,' has died

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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, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississippi