In Honor of the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington, We Remember the Trailblazing Activists Who Made It Happen

On August 28, 1963, approximately 250,000 people gathered in the nation's capital for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Organized by civil rights leaders, the march aimed to advocate for civil rights legislation, desegregation, and economic justice. It was a historic demonstration of unity and resilience, featuring remarkable speeches that would echo through the corridors of time.

The march has become synonymous with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy — with his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech now carved into the annals of history. But King would not have been able to pull off the momentous occasion without a cadre of organizers who were aligned in ideology and committed to the cause. 

Of course there were those figures who spurred the Civil Rights movement. This includes activists like Medgar and Myrlie Evers, who fought for desegregation and voter registration in Mississippi.There was also educator Septima Clark, who developed literacy and citizenship workshops that empowered the community. And James Meredith lit the spark for desegregation in higher education, while Diane Nash, a leader in the Nashville Student Movement became one of the founders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). There was also Malcolm X, a fierce civil rights leader who galvanized millions around self-empowerment, and Ella Baker, a brilliant strategist and advocacy for democracy.

Then there were the "Big Six” leaders who helped organize around the clock for the march. These included Dr. King, labor and civil rights activist A. Philip Randolph, Whitney Young Jr., executive director of the National Urban League, John Lewis, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), James Farmer, national director of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and Roy Wilkins, executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). 

And while these civil rights greats spearheaded the march efforts, this seminal moment in history would not have been possible without a mass of people working in tandem with the Big Six to champion the event’s  success.

Organizer Bayard Rustin was a close advisor to Dr. King and coordinated the logistical details of the event. Anna Arnold Hedgeman served as the only woman on the executive committee for the march, helping manage transportation for thousands of attendees.

Women’s rights activist Dorothy Height also played a critical role, working as leader of the National Council of Negro Women. Height made sure that women’s voices and concerns were included in the march.

Then there was Daisy Bates, a journalist and activist who helped amplify the work of various civil rights campaigns. And of course there was Fannie Lou Hamer, co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and a fearless leader in the civil rights movement. Hamer’s work helped advocate for Black voting rights and broaden the possibility of political representation for Black people at large. 

While there are countless others who contributed to the March on Washington, we remember the collective work and sacrifice of all the architects of such a pivotal moment in history.. The March on Washington laid the foundation for justice movements and social change worldwide. 

As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, we are reminded of the progress that has been made and the work that still lies ahead. We also pay homage to the unwavering dedication of those who risked their lives to march for freedom and justice. Their voices still echo, reminding us that  and that unity, determination, and the power of collective action remain vital in the ongoing fight for equality the keys to a brighter future.

Photo Credit: The National Archives and Records Administration. Image colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd. U.S. Information Agency. Press and Publications Service. ca.