Owensboro in Daviess County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. / Pulitzer Prize Winner

(1926-1996)

Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. Marker image. Click for full size.

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2020

1. Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. Marker

Inscription.
Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. Born in Owensboro. Sleet was a graduate of Ky. State College and New York Univ. Beginning in 1955, he worked as photojournalist for Jet and Ebony magazines for 41 yrs. During the 1950s-60s, his photos documented the African struggle for independence and the American civil rights movement. He inspired a generation of photographers.

Pulitzer Prize Winner As friend of civil rights leader Martin Luther King. Jr.. Sleet covered the Selma to Montgomery (Ala.) March and later King's Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. In 1969, he won Pulitzer Prize for photo of Coretta Scott King at Dr. King's funeral (first African American photographer to receive this award). His work has been part of numerous museum exhibitions.

Erected 1989 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways; Presented by City of Owensboro and Messenger-Inquirer. (Marker Number 2036.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. series lists.

Location.

Pulitzer Prize Winner Marker image. Click for full size.

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2020

2. Pulitzer Prize Winner Marker

37° 46.156′ N, 87° 7.067′ W. Marker is in Owensboro, Kentucky, in Daviess County. Marker is at the intersection of West 7th Street and Walnut Street, on the right when traveling west on West 7th Street. Marker is located in Max Rhoads Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 Walnut St, Owensboro KY 42301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Stirman's Folly" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Trinity Centre Parking Area (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Trinity Centre (approx. ¼ mile away); Dr. and Mrs. Clay E. Simpson, Sr. (approx. ¼ mile away); Fourth Street Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Two Early Civil Rights Cases in Owensboro (approx. 0.3 miles away); Born With a Purpose (approx. 0.3 miles away); Kendall-Perkins Park (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Owensboro.

Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. / Pulitzer Prize Winner Marker image. Click for full size.

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2020

3. Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. / Pulitzer Prize Winner Marker

Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. (1926-1996) image. Click for full size.

Fair use, by source, 1969

4. Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. (1926-1996)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 35 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.