April 19, 2008
Albany -- Elected officials, family and friends surrounded and celebrated Mary Shipp. "She dedicated her time, her life to civil rights and the movement of people and the betterment of people," said Sylvester Mayor Pro Tem, Larry Johnson.
It was her work that allowed many of the people in the room to be where they are today. "At first we had no black elected officials in the history of Worth County. So we had a voter registration drive and were able to get my husband elected into the city council," said civil rights pioneer, Mary Shipp.
"You got to have a smooth pavement to drive the way and she paved the way for us and we are just driving down. It's up to us now. And we can do anything we want to," said Johnson.
Mrs. Shipp's efforts will continue to make a positive impact once it's on display in the expansion of the Albany Civil Rights Movement Museum. "They will see the awards that were given to me, by the Board of Corrections, the City of Sylvester, the Chamber of Commerce, and of the people that helped with this struggle, said Shipp.
"They will be an inspiration to other people, especially for young people to let them know that other people have worked. And they have to pick up the work because our struggle is a perpetual struggle," said Camilla Mayor, Mary Jo Hayword.
And now Mary Alice Shipp's hard work can not only be seen by the diversity of the elected officials in Southwest Georgia, but will also be commemorated at the museum.
The public will be able to see Mary Shipp's awards after the expansion of the Albany Civil Right's Movement Museum is complete in August.
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