Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) released the following statement after filing legislation to name the USPS facility in Selma after voting rights activist Amelia Boynton Robinson:

 "Amelia Boynton Robinson was known as the matriarch of the voting rights movement. Her life and legacy epitomized strength, resilience, perseverance and courage -- the same characteristics that embody the City of Selma where she made such a significant impact.  Amelia Boynton Robinson is well-known for braving the front line of the Selma march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and was brutally attacked on Bloody Sunday. A warrior for what was right and a brave soldier in the fight, Amelia Boynton Robinson was a champion in the movement that lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.   

“A trailblazer, Amelia Boynton Robinson made history in 1964 as the first woman to run for Congress from the State of Alabama. I know the journey I now take in Congress was only made possible because of her courage, tenacity and faith.  As a daughter of Selma, I am honored to sponsor this legislation and I can think of no more deserving person to name the Selma post office than Amelia Boynton Robinson since she represents the heart, spirit and essence of Selma”, Sewell stated. 

Her surviving son, Bruce Boynton was delighted by the news of the legislation.  He noted “My mother fought for the rights of black people since the 1930s and both my mother and my father were hardly recognized for everything they've done. My mother would have been very happy to receive this honor."

Mayor George Evans of Selma, Alabama was also pleased with the news in saying “I am so glad that Congresswoman Terri Sewell is honoring Amelia Boynton Robinson.   Amelia Boynton Robinson put herself and her family’s lives at risk and this is a long overdue honor and I am in support of naming the post office after her.”  

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Amelia Boynton Robinson was a voting rights pioneer and a leader in the American Voting Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama.  Amelia Boynton Robinson was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Freedom in 1990 and lived to meet the first African American President, Barack Obama at the State of the Union Address in January 2015.  She lived a long life and passed away on August 24, 2015 at the age of 110, according to her family.