Today, Congresswoman Terri Sewell expressed her condolences regarding the passing of 104-year-old civil rights legend Amelia Boynton Robinson.

“Today while we mourn the passing of Amelia Boynton Robinson, we must also celebrate the life and legacy of a real American treasure.  Mrs. Boynton Robinson personified the essence of an American hero through her courageous and passionate fight for the fundamental right to vote for every citizen in this nation. I will always cherish the time we spent together when she honored me as my special guest for the State of the Union on January 20, 2015. I am grateful for the memories of her greeting President Obama that night and I am so blessed to call her a beloved mentor and friend.

“Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson will not only be remembered for her invaluable contributions as a matriarch of the voting rights movement but she was also the first black woman from the State of Alabama to run for Congress. Without her courageous campaign for the 7th Congressional District, I know that my election to this seat in 2010 would not have been possible. Her sacrifices paved the way for me to walk the halls of Congress and I will carry my love and admiration for her in my heart each and every day.

“As she reminded us in life, there is still much work to be done for this nation to live up to its ideals of equality and justice for all.  Let us be inspired by the extraordinary life of Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson to keep striving and working towards a more perfect union. May we honor her by continuing her life’s work.”

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