Fannie Lou Hamer was a Black civil rights activist who was born in Mississippi in 1917. Despite facing poverty, racism, and discrimination throughout her life, Hamer became an influential leader in the fight for civil rights, particularly in voter registration and desegregation efforts. She was a founding member of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and played a significant role in challenging the state's all-white delegation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. Hamer also helped establish numerous organizations and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Black people in the South. Despite facing significant opposition, she remained committed to her cause until her death in 1977.