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Moved to Jackson, Mississippi
Medgar, Myrlie's husband, took a position with the NAACP and Myrlie became his secretary. In this job they explored murders, protests, boycotts, etc. that impacted the NAACP and the Civil Rights Movement. -
Began to be targeted by segregationists
Myrlie, and her husband Medgar, began being targeted by the violence of segregationists. White terrorists even firebombed their Jackson, Mississippi house in 1962. -
Husband was shot and killed
Myrlie's husband, Medgar, was shot and killed by a white supremacist. Myrlie Evers then devoted her life to trying to get justice for her husband. Read a few pages of TIME Magazine (Pages 34-37), where Myrlie Evers wrote an article about her husband's death):
https://books.google.com/books?id=00sEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA34&pg=PA34#v=onepage&q&f=false -
Moved to Claremont, California
After her husband was assassinated, Myrlie Evers moved her and her children to California. There she attended and graduated from Pomona College. Watch the following video to hear from Myrlie Evers about her experiences as a person of color as well as about her collection that is located at Pomona College in California: https://youtu.be/w3TyLrswrI0?si=emfLYdYKbqYBW9ag -
Co-wrote a book about her husband and his work
Myrlie co-wrote a book about her husband's life and work, which was called: “For Us, the Living” -
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Became a Director of Planning for Claremont Schools
Myrlie became the director of planning with the Center for Educational Opportunity for Claremont Colleges. -
Ran for Congress
Myrlie ran for congress in the 24th district of California in the 70s. She campaigned door to door, but she faced trouble because of the color of her skin, as well as because she was a woman. -
Joins Atlantic Richfield Co. (ARCO)
Myrlie joins ARCO as the national director for community affairs and is later the director of consumer affairs. -
Becomes remarried to Walter Williams
Myrlie remarried in 1976 to a labor and civil rights activist named Walter Williams. -
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Appointed to Los Angeles Board of Public Works
Myrlie was appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, where she worked until 1991. -
Medgar Evers Institute Founded
Myrlie founded the Medgar Evers Institute, which works to help strengthen communities all over the United States so that all American citizens can live without violence, be able to vote, and can work towards advancement opportunities. -
Received the NAACP President's Award
Myrlie Evers-Williams receives the NAACP President's Award. -
Medgar's assassinator is convicted
Medgar Evers' assassinator is convicted of murder, 30 years after the original trial of Medgar's assassination. -
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Leader in the NAACP
Myrlie became a chairperson for the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People. -
Published her Autobiography
Myrlie published her autobiography titled: Watch Me Fly: What I Learned on the Way to Becoming the Woman I was Meant to Be. -
Featured in Ebony Magazine
Myrlie was recognized as one of the 100 Most Fascinating Women of the Twentieth Century, and was featured in Ebony magazine. -
Editor of an autobiography of Medgar Evers
Myrlie was one of the editors of The Autobiography of Medgar Evers: A Hero's Life and Legacy Revealed Through His Writings, Letters, and Speeches (2005). -
Received the National Freedom Award
Myrlie was recognized with the National Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. -
Inauguration Speech Delivery
Myrlie gave the invocation at the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. This was the first time both a woman, and a non-clergy member gave the prayer. Watch the Inauguration Speech with the link below: https://youtu.be/Qpug4Nq6U50?si=cupozgK52DJAtM_R -
Honorary Degree
Myrlie was given an honorary degree from the College of New Rochelle in 2016. -
Evers House a Historic Landmark
The house of Medgar and Myrlie Evers in Jackson, Mississippi becomes a designated National Historic Landmark, and later becomes a National Monument.
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