US civil rights activist Amelia Boynton Robinson dies at 104

August 26, 2015 23:42

Amelia Boynton Robinson, a US civil rights activist who nearly died while helping lead the Selma, Alabama civil rights march in 1965, championed voting rights for blacks and was the first black woman to run for

Congress in that southern state, died today at age 104, her son Bruce Boynton said.

Boynton Robinson was among those beaten during the voting rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in March 1965 that became known as 'Bloody Sunday'. Fifty years later, Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States, pushed her across the span in a wheelchair during a commemoration.

Boynton Robinson, who was hospitalized in July after having a major stroke, turned 104 on Aug 18.

In January, she attended the State of the Union address as a special guest of Democratic Alabama Rep Terri Sewell, who said Boynton's 1964 run for Congress paved the way for her.

Sewell is Alabama's first elected black congresswoman.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Scheffler charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round

In Pictures - LSG end season with dominant win; MI finish last

Scenes from the IPL match between the Mumbai Indians and the Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Friday.

'We are not worried what Modiji says about Muslims'

While political experts claim that the Modi Magic is missing in the 2024 general election, the common people in the street -- at least those in the crowd on Thursday -- vow that they will vote for Modi and the candidate who contests the...

Kejriwal's aide files complaint against Swati Maliwal in 'assault' case

Kumar has also said in the complaint that Maliwal is now trying to falsely implicate him so as to create undue pressure on him.

Raj Thackeray shares stage with Modi, justifies his support to NDA

Raj Thackeray listed out his expectations from the PM in his third term in office.