Fayette Timeline

1964

June, 1964

Source: Photograph of Cornell University, originally published in Popular Science Monthly, volume 69, 1906.

Student activists from Cornell University come to Fayette County to aid African Americans to vote. At this point, local activists had been working for 5 years. They work to encourage citizens to register to vote for June Dowdy. They teach civic engagement lessons and help monitor the November election.

August, 1964

Source: Special Collections,
University of Memphis Libraries.

Reverend June Dowdy runs for tax assessor in Fayette County. He is the first black candidate to run for office. Although he loses the election, his candidacy is a hallmark in the fight for equal rights in Fayette County. A sympathetic white man, L.T. Redfearn, challenges Sheriff Pattat for office. White civil rights workers and county poll watchers report voting irregularities and suggest fraud.

1964

Daphene McFerren talks about attending Head Start