Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
James Leonard Farmer, Jr.
1920 - 1999
Organized the nation's first civil rights sit-in (Chicago 1942). Founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE, 1942). CORE Director (1961-1966). Organized Freedom Rides to desegregate interstate bus travel (1961). One of the "Big Four" civil rights leaders of the 1960s. Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare (1969-1970). Distinguished Professor of History and American Studies. Mary Washington College (1985-1998). Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1998).
Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to James Farmer by the President of the united States January 1998 for Dr. Farmer's leadership in the nonviolent struggle for racial equality and social justice.
Do not be complacent and accepting of everything you see and hear. I have spent my entire life using nonviolent tactics to question and challenge laws and attitudes in America, which discriminate against racial minorities and women solely on the basis of the color of their skin or their gender.
James Farmer
Freedom and equality are inherent rights in the United States: therefore, I encourage young people to take on the task by standing up and speaking out on behalf of people denied those rights. We have not finished the job of making our country whole.
James Farmer
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1998.
Location. 38° 18.1′ N, 77° 28.453′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker is on Campus Walk north of Double Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1301 College Ave, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Honor of Jean Donovan (a few steps from this marker); Phi Beta Kappa (within shouting distance of this marker); Beta Gamma Sigma (approx. 0.2 miles away); Civil War Earthworks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shiloh Baptist Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Memorial Recreation Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); To the Confederate Dead (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Ladies' Memorial Association Register… (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 5, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
