Dalton News

Pioneer Civil Rights Activist Dr. Valda Harris Montgomery Pays Visit to Middle School Assembly and Mr. De Jesús

Civil rights activist Dr. Valda Harris Montgomery visited Dalton on April 18 for a Middle School assembly. She was accompanied in conversation by Shakita Brooks Jones, a professor of social work at Auburn University. Jacob Buller '25, coordinated the assembly. He remarked, “I am grateful to have worked alongside Middle School Social Studies teacher Ms. Edwards to make this assembly possible.” Jacob and Ms. Edwards visited with Dr. Montgomery and Dalton's Head of School José M. De Jesús in his office following the assembly. 
According to Jacob, “Valda’s family played a seminal role in the Civil Rights Movement. From the young age of eight, she saw how the Montgomery Bus Boycott was crafted and sustained. As a teen, Valda witnessed the trauma, bravery, and mortal risk that Freedom Riders experienced as they were secretly sequestered in her family home. Figures including the late Congressman John Lewis, Freedom Rider Bernard Lafayette, attorney Fred Gray, activist Gloria Steinem, and many more have journeyed to Montgomery to sit with Valda (and her late mother, Vera) on the Harris House porch. We are so lucky to have Dr. Montgomery traveling to visit us, here at Dalton!”
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