BLK ALERTS

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Emirates Flight Traveled ’14 Hours’ With A Hole In It – Travel Noire

    July 7, 2022

    Traveler Story: The Best Pizza In The World Is In Naples – Travel Noire

    July 7, 2022

    Best Black-owned Fried Chicken Joints in the US – Travel Noire

    July 7, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
    BLK ALERTS
    Subscribe Login
    • Home
    • Lifestyle
    • News
    • Crime
    • Entertainment
    • Opinion
    • Sports
    • Politics
    BLK ALERTS
    Home»News»Unita Blackwell, Civil Rights Activist and the 1st Black Woman to Be Elected a Mayor in Mississippi, Dies at 86
    News

    Unita Blackwell, Civil Rights Activist and the 1st Black Woman to Be Elected a Mayor in Mississippi, Dies at 86

    Niyah Heaggans, DIBy Niyah Heaggans, DIMay 16, 2019Updated:May 22, 2019No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
    Unita Blackwell
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    After serving as a pillar in her community as well as being the first black woman to be elected mayor in Mississippi, Unita Blackwell dies at 86 years old.

    What We Know:

    • In 1976, Unita Blackwell was elected mayor in Mayersville, Mississippi. She was the first black woman to be elected, and served from 1976-1993, and again from 1997-2001. She was elected after actively helping Mayersville win it’s charter.
    • Blackwell came from humble beginnings. She was born in impoverished Mississippi and dropped out of school at age 12 to go do farm labor. Her life’s work focused on getting black people registered to vote. In the 1986 documentary Eyes on the Prize, Blackwell said, “I was only told when I started off that if I registered to vote that I would food to eat and a better house to stay in…I would have, my child would have, a better education.”
    • Blackwell made many strides in her life besides being the first black female mayor. She protested the seating of Mississippi’s all-white Democratic Party at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. She was a veteran of the civil rights movement and a recipient of the MacArthur “genius” grant. She received the grant in 1992 for her work on housing and water services. The grant was $350,000.

    According to Blackwell’s son, she died on Monday. There has yet to be a report of any services for Ms. Blackwell, but her life and legacy will indeed live on.

    first back mayor Mississippi Unita Blackwell
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    Previous ArticleNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announces 2020 presidential bid
    Next Article City Girls’ JT Denied Early Prison Release
    Niyah Heaggans, DI

    Niyah Heaggans was a Digital Intern at Black News Alerts.

    Related Posts

    Judge holds hearing on challenge of Mississippi abortion law

    July 5, 2022

    Mississippi justices block more DNA tests in death row case

    July 5, 2022

    Unserved warrant charging white woman with Emmett Till’s kidnapping found in basement

    June 30, 2022

    How Mississippians are celebrating Juneteenth weekend

    June 18, 2022
    Our Picks

    Georgia Mom Shares Heartbreaking Details About The Drowning Death Of Her 4-Year-Old Son Izzy During Swim Lesson, Family Wants Prosecutors To Investigate

    July 6, 2022

    ‘IT GIRL’ IN THE MAKING: North West Takes Over Paris Fashion Week 2022 As Her Mom Kim K Walks In Balenciaga Show

    July 6, 2022

    IT’S HERE! HBO Just Released Issa Rae & City Girls’ ‘Rap Sh!t’ Trailer & It’s Giving Friends, Freestyles & FUN

    July 6, 2022

    CONGRATS! Former WNBA Star Maya Moore & Husband Jonathan Irons Welcome Baby Boy!

    July 6, 2022
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Don't Miss
    Travel

    Emirates Flight Traveled ’14 Hours’ With A Hole In It – Travel Noire

    By blkalertstravelJuly 7, 20220

    Traveler Story: The Best Pizza In The World Is In Naples – Travel Noire

    July 7, 2022

    Best Black-owned Fried Chicken Joints in the US – Travel Noire

    July 7, 2022

    Beach Please! Here Are 5 Less Celebrated Beach Areas In The US To Check Out – Travel Noire

    July 7, 2022

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from BLK ALERTS about our community.

    About Us
    About Us

    Your source for all things BLACK. BLKALERTS is crafted specifically for humans of the Brown and Black experience. The BLKALERTS app is available in all app stores.

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: connect@blkalerts.com
    Contact: +1-929-251-6500

    Our Picks

    NBA Draft and More Trade News

    November 19, 2020
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    • Home
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Crime
    • Sports
    • Careers
    © 2022 BLKALERTS is part of Urban Newsroom. Powered by UNMUTED NETWORKS.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Lost password?