National women’s organization to honor Patricia Stephens Due of Quincy

When The National Hook-Up of Black Women Inc. chooses someone to honor during its national convention, it looks for someone who exemplifies the traits of deceased civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer.

“(Hamer) said we must write for those who didn’t have the education to write for themselves,” National President Wynetta Frazier said. “And speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. We always look for someone who has written something to change the course of history.”

This year, the organization is honoring civil rights leader Patricia Stephens Due of Quincy to receive the honor. Due became a leader in promoting civil rights as a student at Florida A&M University in the early 60s, and spent time in jail for her protest activities. She’ll receive the award Saturday during the organization’s Fannie Lou Hamer Breakfast. The group is holding its national convention in Tallahassee this week. The breakfast will be held at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center.

Hamer, who died in 1977 at the age of 59, was a staunch voting rights activist in her native Mississippi. She became involved in improving civil rights for black people as a field representative for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

“It really is a great honor,” Due said. “Because Ms. Hamer is a woman who’s done so much, not just for Mississippi, but for the country.” The National Hook-Up of Black Women Inc. is a nonprofit organization started in 1973. It advocates for women and families. Frazier said the honoree is chosen from wherever its annual meeting is held. And this year, Tallahassee’s Due merited the award.

Tallahassee resident Geneva Westley, who serves as the conference’s chairwoman, said about 150 women from around the country will be attending the convention. Tallahassee’s chapter was founded in 1978.

Besides her role fighting for Civil Rights, Due is also co-author of the book, “Freedom in the Family.”

SOURCE: Tallahassee.com