MLK celebration to feature civil rights legend Joan Trumpauer Mulholland

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Civil rights activist Joan Trumpauer Mulholland will be the keynote speaker for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration being held at noon on Jan. 15 in Augusta University’s Maxwell Theatre.  This annual event is hosted by Augusta University, Paine College and Augusta Technical College.

A livestream of this presentation will be aired in the Lee Auditorium on the Health Sciences campus.

Mulholland’s unwavering fight for civil rights as a Freedom Rider brought her face-to-face with the Ku Klux Klan as well as time on death row in Mississippi’s State Penitentiary. She also participated in pivotal events in the civil rights movement including the March on Washington, which she helped organize, and the Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in in Mississippi in 1963.

As an activist, Mulholland had the opportunity to work closely with many civil rights leaders such as Dr. King. Additionally, her contribution to the civil rights movement was recognized by President Barack Obama and garnered her numerous awards including Delta Sigma Thetas, Inc.’s Annual Award of Honor.

Mulholland’s experiences were highlighted in the documentary An Ordinary Hero, and Augusta University will host a free screening of the award-winning film at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, in the university’s Jaguar Student Activities Center Ballroom. As part of the program, Mulholland will share remarks and greet the audience.

For more information on these events, contact Augusta University’s Office of Student Life and Engagement at 706-737-1610.