New York community leaders celebrate Lynda Blackmon Lowery on 56th Anniversary of march from Selma to Montgomery

Lynda Lowery, author of Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom, will be honored for her contributions to Civil Rights on Sunday March 21st at 6p.m. Eastern Standard Time via Zoom.

Lowery was one of many people, foot soldiers, who participated in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery which led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Miranda Barry, Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom producer, said Lowery was bestowed the honor because her story and contributions need to be heard.

“We feel that her story is very important right now,” she said.

Lowery’s book has now been adapted into a play. Barry said the story encompasses more than just Lowery’s life, but a message of the Civil Rights Movement during 1965.

“She’s the main character of the play, but it’s about the whole movement and how the young people were so inspired by Dr. King and Amelia Boynton and other Civil Rights workers in Alabama,” Barry said.

Lowery will be honored by community leaders such as Voza Rivers (director of the New Heritage Group), Judge Milton Tingling (Clerk of the Courts for the State of New York), and Rodney Beckford (director of Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Center).

Lowery will then be interviewed by Dr. Erika Henderson, curriculum and outreach for Facing History and Ourselves.

Barry said not only is Lowery’s story important, it is important to know that the threat of loosing the right to vote is still a real possibility.

“There are many places all across the United States that are trying to limit access to voting in ways that are particularly going to affect people of color and young people,” Barry said.

She said she believes the play is a great way to reach and teach the youth.

“We have produced this musical drama because we know it is a powerful way of reaching people of all ages, but especially young people,” she said.

In support of the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Center’s Social Justice Project the following organizations honor Lowery’s contributions:

Voza Rivers/ New Heritage Theatre Group
Loire Valley Theatre Festival, The Greater Harlem Chamber Of Commerce, Manhattan Community Board 10 Arts & Culture Committee, Harlem Arts Alliance, Harlem Shakespeare Festival, NAACP Mid-Manhattan, Impact Repertory Theatre,
West Harlem Development Corp., Shades Of Truth Theatre, Community Works NYC, Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Center

Registration is free, and those who register will be able to stream the play, Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom from Saturday, March 20thth through Monday, March 22nd.

Click here to register.