Lexington in Holmes County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Hazel Brannon Smith

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 31, 2023

1. Hazel Brannon Smith Marker

Inscription. Hazel Brannon Smith (1914-1994), a journalist and publisher, was the owner and editor of four weekly newspapers, including the Lexington Advertiser. An advocate for racial justice, Smith condemned the state's Sovereignty Commission and the Citizen's Council. As a result, Smith was ostracized by the White community and her newspapers were boycotted, eventually forcing her to declare bankruptcy. In 1964, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for her reporting on race.

Erected 2022 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications • Women. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 33° 6.709′ N, 90° 3.176′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Mississippi, in Holmes County. Marker is on Yazoo Street (Mississippi Route 17) north of Mulberry Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington MS 39095, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Holmes County Blues Lexington (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop Charles H. Mason (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Lexington (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holmes County (about 400 feet away); Holmes County Confederate Monument (about 400 feet away); St. Mary's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Paul Church of God in Christ (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dr. Arenia Conelia Mallory (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Also see . . . Hazel Brannon Smith: Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist. She grew up believing “the south and America are a white man’s country,” but gradually changed her views as efforts to preserve white supremacy and segregation increasingly conflicted with her Christian values. (Mark Newman, Mississippi History Now, posted March 2008) (Submitted on April 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 31, 2023

2. Hazel Brannon Smith Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.