Wilkinson man draws portrait of civil rights icon Anne Moody

By Roscoe Barnes III

Chairman, Anne Moody History Project
Copyright (c) 2017

#AnneMoody

Derrick Young presents portrait of Anne Moody to Emma Taplin, quality 

assurance manager of Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) and 

member of the facility’s Anne Moody History Project (AMHP).

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Wilkinson man draws portrait of famous civil rights author

Woodville, Miss. -- Derrick Young recently completed a portrait of civil rights pioneer Anne Moody for the Anne Moody History Project (AMHP) at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF).

Young, who is incarcerated at WCCF, drew the portrait on canvas using pencil and charcoal. It will be donated to a local African American museum as part of an on-going community service project by WCCF. He is pictured with Quality Assurance Manager Emma Taplin who serves on the AMHP committee.

Moody, who died in 2015, was the author of Coming of Age in Mississippi. She was born and reared in Wilkinson County in southwest Mississippi, just above the Louisiana line. She went to school in Centreville and Woodville. She was living in Gloster at the time of her death.

Taplin and other staff said they were amazed by Young’s art work and the striking resemblance to the actual photograph of Moody. “He did a great job,” Taplin said.

“His work actually looks better than the photo,” said one staff.

“Everything about it was nice and beautifully done,” said Warehouse Manager Ruby Dixon, who also serves on the AMHP committee. “It was unbelievable. He said he could do it and then he did it.”

Taplin said the AMHP committee is considering a possible exhibit of art work related to Anne Moody history. She said efforts are being made to have the work on display in the community and in several museums.

Derrick Young is proud of the work he’s done for the Anne 

Moody History Project. He plans to do other projects as assigned.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to know more about Anne Moody?

Visit the Anne Moody page here!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information: 

See the Anne Moody page here.

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

Introducing the Anne Moody History Project

#AnneMoody

Members of the Anne Moody History Project

From left, LaVern Taylor, committee member; Emma Taplin, secretary; 

Roscoe Barnes III, chairman; and Ruby Dixon, vice chairwoman.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

“Keeping Her Legacy Alive”

About Us

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. The project has the full support of Warden Jody Bradley and Management & Training Corporation (MTC).

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 Members

The Committee for the AMHP was formed in March 2017. Its members include the Rev. Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, Ms. Emma Taplin, Mrs. Lavern Taylor, and Mrs. Ruby Dixon.

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.

----------------------------------------------------------

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