Juanita Abernathy | |
|---|---|
 Abernathy in 1970 | |
| Born | Juanita Odessa Jones December 1, 1931 Uniontown, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | September 12, 2019(2019-09-12) (aged 87) |
| Alma mater | Tennessee State University |
| Occupation(s) | Civil rights activist, educator, businesswoman |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 |
Juanita Odessa Jones Abernathy (December 1, 1931 – September 12, 2019) was an American civil rights activist, and the wife ofRalph Abernathy.[1]
Juanita Odessa Jones was born inUniontown, Alabama. She studied atSelma University[2] and after it attendedTennessee State University from which she later graduated as well. She worked as a teacher, and worked forMary Kay Cosmetics.[3][4] She also served on the board of trustees for theMorehouse School of Religion, and on the board of directors for the Atlanta Fulton CountyLeague of Women Voters and theMetropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.[4]
She was a part of the team that organized theMontgomery bus boycott of December 1955 - December 1956.[5][6]In 1957, her home was bombed.[7][8] In 1965 she walked in theSelma to Montgomery March.[4]
In 2013, she was honored by theAtlanta City Council with a proclamation.[9]
She marriedRalph Abernathy on August 31, 1952.[10][11][3] Together they had five children: Ralph David Abernathy Jr., Juandalynn Ralpheda,Donzaleigh Avis,Ralph David Abernathy III, and Kwame Luthuli Abernathy.[11][12] Their first child, Ralph Abernathy Jr., died suddenly on August 18, 1953, less than 2 days after his birth on August 16, while their other children lived on to adulthood.[12]
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| National | |
