Honoring the Legacy of the Four Little Girls: 62 Years After the Birmingham Tragedy

On the solemn occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (AL-07) took to social media to share a moving video commemorating the tragedy and honoring the memory of the Four Little Girls whose lives were lost that day.

The events of September 15, 1963 remain etched in the collective conscience of the nation, serving as a painful yet pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights. The attack, carried out by white supremacists, claimed the lives of four young African American girls: Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Robertson. Their names are more than a roll call; they symbolize innocence interrupted, but also the courage and hope that would fuel a movement for justice and equality.

In her heartfelt remarks, Rep. Sewell emphasized the importance of knowing these girls by name. "Those four precious lives were lost so that so many of the freedoms and opportunities that we enjoy today we could have," she said. "I know it's never lost on me that I get to walk the halls of Congress because they can't, because of their sacrifice." Sewell's reflection underscores the deep connection between the sacrifices made during the civil rights era and the progress that followed, including her own ability to serve as an elected official.

Rep. Sewell called on all Americans to pause, remember, and reflect on the lives lost, urging a recommitment to the causes that fueled the civil rights movement: the fight for civil rights, voting rights, and civil liberties. Her message is a reminder that while much has been achieved, the work is far from finished. The ongoing struggle for justice and equality requires both remembrance and action.

A significant milestone in the national recognition of the Four Little Girls came when Sewell passed a bill in Congress awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal. Signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2013, ahead of the 50th anniversary of the bombing, the medal stands as one of the nation's highest civilian honors and a testament to the enduring legacy of the girls and the impact of their loss.

As Birmingham and the nation mark 62 years since that fateful day, the story of Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Robertson continues to inspire. Their memory challenges each generation to reflect, remember, and recommit to the unfinished work of justice for all. On this anniversary, Rep. Sewell's tribute serves as a powerful call to honor the past by shaping a more equitable future.

Street Baptist Church Bombing and Honors the Four Little Girls