Proclamation accepted by Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
By Roscoe Barnes III
Chairman, Anne Moody History Project
Copyright (c) 2017
#AnneMoody
#AnneMoodyDay
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Miss. State Senator Tammy Witherspoon, right, recently presented
a plaque honoring Anne Moody to Wilkinson County Correctional
Facility (WCCF). Acting Warden Norris Hogans and Deputy Warden
of Programs
Tonya Toomey accepted the plaque on behalf of WCCF
and the citizens of
Centreville.
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Woodville, Miss. -- Mississippi State Senator Tammy
Witherspoon, D-McComb, recently visited Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
(WCCF), Woodville, to present an official proclamation honoring civil rights
icon Anne Moody.
“Anne Moody played such an important part in our
history,” said Witherspoon. “It’s important that we recognize her for her work
in civil rights. We need to make sure she is not forgotten.”
The proclamation recognizes Moody’s work as a
“distinguished author, citizen, and historic figure of Centreville.” It also
recognizes September 15th, Moody’s birthday, as “Anne Moody Day.” Moody was the
author of Coming of Age in Mississippi. She was born in 1940 in Centreville, in
Wilkinson County. She died in 2015 at the age of 74.
The proclamation reads, in part: “The Lieutenant Governor
of the State of Mississippi and Senator Tammy Witherspoon on behalf of the
Mississippi Senate, join the citizens of Centreville in remembering the legacy
of civil rights activist and author Anne Moody.”
Witherspoon thanked WCCF for its work on Moody’s history.
“I want to commend you all for the work you’re doing to honor Anne Moody and
for telling her story,” she said. “I’m grateful to be a part of what you all
are doing and to know that she is from Centreville.”
Witherspoon represents District 38, which covers Adams,
Amite, Pike, Walthall, and Wilkinson counties.
She made the presentation at the prison because of its
role in honoring Moody. In March this year, WCCF staff formed a community
service project called, the Anne Moody History Project (AMHP). Chaplain Roscoe
Barnes III, who chairs the project, said it was created to promote and help
preserve the legacy of the civil rights pioneer. In addition to himself, AMHP
members include WCCF staff Ruby Dixon, LaVern Taylor, and Emma Taplin.
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This proclamation honors civil rights pioneer Anne Moody, author of
Coming of Age in Mississippi (1968). It was presented to Wilkinson
County Correctional Facility and the Anne Moody History Project by
Miss. State Senator Tammy Witherspoon.
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Acting Warden Norris Hogans said he felt honored to be part of the presentation for Moody: “We are very pleased to participate in this special event to recognize her contributions. Her work in the civil rights movement is an important piece of our history.”
Warden Jody Bradley praised the work of the WCCF staff.
“They have done a great job in helping people in our state -- and other states
-- to know more about Ms. Moody,” he said. “We also appreciate the support and
contributions of Senator Witherspoon and other elected officials.”
Bradley said the community service project is a way for
WCCF to give back to the community. With his support, AMHP has spearheaded
several events aimed at bringing attention to Moody’s contributions. Deputy
Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey noted WCCF offenders have been reading Moody’s
book and contributing artwork to honor her memory.
Earlier this year, the Centreville Board of Aldermen
approved a request by AMHP/WCCF to declare September 15th “Anne Moody Day,” and
to rename Fort Street, “Anne Moody Street.” In June, the Wilkinson County Board
of Supervisors approved a request by the prison to name a portion of Highway
24, “Anne Moody Highway.”
WCCF, located in southwest Mississippi, is privately run
by Management & Training Corporation of Utah.
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Would you like to know more about Anne Moody?
Visit the Anne Moody page here!
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For more
information:
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
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