Central City in Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Boy Becomes a Man

March Route Towards a Purposeful Life

— Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail —

The Boy Becomes a Man Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

1. The Boy Becomes a Man Marker

Inscription. Young Fred loved pulling pranks with the aid of his younger siblings and friends. He enjoyed going to church every Sunday and began teaching Sunday School. Because he was so mischievous, his siblings could hardly believe that his secret goal was to become a minister. He excelled in church and worked his way up to the position of Sunday School superintendent as a teen. As the oldest, he was a stern and bossy authority figure over his siblings when his parents were not home. His parents instilled in him a basic respect for all people.

Paired marker
May 1940
Though:small in size; Shuttlesworth played football at segregated Rosedale High School and did well as an athlete. He also excelled in academics; he graduated in 1940 as the class valedictorian. He had no recollections of being mistreated as a youth because of his race. But in high school, he noticed that he and his Black classmates rode: the long distances from Oxmoor to Rosedale in tattered buses that sometimes broke down. White students did not have that issue. After high school, the young man considered studying medicine, but the ministry called to him.

"He is the leader... the 5 feet, six inches and 130 pounds of him."
Lewis Jones
Author of Fred Shuttlesworth-Indigenous Leader, February 1961.

Lesson

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E2: What is the meaning of the word "valedictorian"?

Erected by the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. (Marker Number E2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1961.

Location. 33° 31.265′ N, 86° 48.66′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is in Central City. It is on 20th Street North 0.1 miles north of Park Place, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham AL 35203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Raymond Weeks (a few steps from this marker); Love & Marriage (within shouting distance of this marker); Boutwell Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth of an Icon (within shouting distance of this marker); Answering the Call (within shouting distance of this marker); A City of Two Governments (within shouting distance of this marker); Shuttlesworth Goes to Work (within

The Boy Becomes a Man paired marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

2. The Boy Becomes a Man paired marker

shouting distance of this marker); The Stand for Freedom (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Regarding The Boy Becomes a Man. The Civil Rights Activist Committee “Home of the Foot Soldiers“ is the Information Center for the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

3. The Boy Becomes a Man Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 514 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.