Canton in Madison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Flonzie Brown Wright
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Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026
1. Flonzie Brown Wright Marker
Flonzie Brown Wright became involved in the civil rights movement after moving back to Madison County in 1962. Focusing on voting rights. she served as director for the local chapter of the NAACP. In 1968, she ran for county election commissioner, winning a narrow victory against the White incumbent, making her the first Black female to be elected to this position in the state of Mississippi. While in office, she significantly increased the number of local Black registered voters.
Flonzie Brown Goodloe Wright, a notable civil and voting rights champion, was born on August 12, 1942, in Farmhaven, Mississippi. She grew up in Canton, which became the birthplace of the Madison County civil rights movement. While attending Tougaloo College, Goodloe's commitment to the civil rights movement became entrenched.
She was inspired to join the civil rights struggle in 1963, shortly after Medgar Evers's assassination. At that time, Black people made up seventy percent of Madison County's population and forty percent of its landowning citizens, which gave many in the area economic independence, though the county had
this page online
When Goodloe attempted to register to vote, her application was denied because she didn't know the term "habeas corpus." After studying the constitution for a month, she retook the test and passed. She was hired by Field Secretary Charles Evers to reopen the Canton NAACP office. Under the mentorship of Annie Devine and other local leaders, she revitalized that office, which had remained shuttered for years. Due to the efforts of the Madison County movement, Canton was an important stop during the March Against Fear in 1966. During the march, Goodloe organized with community members to secure lodging and food for 3,000 participants at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At a march rally in Canton, she was bestowed the honor of introducing King on the steps of the courthouse. Afterward, King craved soul food. Goodloe made a phone call to her mother, then drove Dr. King
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026
2. Flonzie Brown Wright Marker
Inspired by the March Against Fear and the urging of Annie Devine, Goodloe ran for election commissioner in "Beat 1" of Canton in 1968. She won that election on November 5, 1968, becoming the first Black female elected official in a biracial town. She was part of a wave of Black activists who ran for a variety of positions across the state that year to help ensure Black voting rights. She was cofounder and vice president of the Institute of Politics at Millsaps College, where she taught grassroots organizing and campaign management. In 1974, she became an investigator for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She authored and published her first book, “Looking Back to Move Ahead,” in 1994, which was a best seller for an independent author. The Canton Board of Aldermen named the courtroom in City Hall the Flonzie Brown Goodloe Courtroom in 2016. She received an honorary degree from Tougaloo College in 2018, a Presidential Honors Award from LeMoyne College of Syracuse, New York,
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026
3. Flonzie Brown Wright Marker
Closeup of photos & captions.
Erected 2024 by Visit Mississippi, the Mississippi Humanities Council. (Marker Number 47.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #46 Joseph R. Biden, and the Mississippi Freedom Trail series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 12, 1942.
Location. 32° 36.784′ N, 90° 2.142′ W. Marker is in Canton, Mississippi, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of West Peace Street (Mississippi Route 22) and North Liberty Street, on the right when traveling west on West Peace Street. Located on the south side of the Madison County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Canton MS 39046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor and in Greater Jackson. It is also 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.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026
4. Flonzie Brown Wright Marker at the Madison County Courthouse.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Madison County Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Old U.S. Post Office (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grace Church (about 600 feet away); Hickory Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Priestley House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Achilles "Killis" Walton House (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Madison County Jail (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.
Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Flonzie Brown Wright . (Submitted on September 28, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 28, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
