Sophia Dodd

Rabbi Jacob M. Rothschild, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, used his position at Atlanta’s The Temple to champion racial integration and nonviolent resistance. Ordained in 1936, he became a vocal advocate against segregation and for school desegregation. His close associations with civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his response to the 1958 bombing of The Temple, reinforced his commitment to social justice. His legacy continues through The Temple’s ongoing efforts in social justice and interfaith collaboration.

George “Ed” Merritt’s life encapsulates a journey from the racial violence of early 20th century Georgia to becoming a local civil rights champion in Buford. Born in 1913, after his family fled racial terror in Forsyth County, Merritt served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later became a community leader. His political career peaked when he was elected to the Buford School Board in 1973, reflecting the broader struggle for civil rights in Georgia. Merritt’s legacy, highlighted by his advocacy for voting and education, endures in Buford, where a street now bears his name.

Karl Allquist was diagnosed with HIV in 1989. He kept a journal documenting his life with HIV from 1989-1991. Karl died in 1992 from HIV/AIDs related complications. In 2004, Atlanta History Center interviewed Karl’s surviving partner, William “Bill” Penn. From Karl’s journal and Bill’s recounting of their relationship, we have a glimpse into life with HIV/AIDS in the 1980s.

Maynard Jackson made history 50 years ago as Atlanta’s first Black mayor, bringing transformative change at just 35. His passion for civil rights and economic fairness opened doors for minorities in city contracts. Jackson’s leadership helped create a more inclusive Atlanta, a legacy that lives on today.

From the Wright brothers’ sister Katherine to Gladys Poole, the first licensed female pilot in Georgia, women have played a pivotal role in aviation. Despite facing dangers and gender barriers, these pioneers soared into history. Poole secretly trained to fly in the male-dominated 1920s, performing in aerial shows. Evelyn Greenblatt Howren served in WWII as part of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. Janet Harmon Bragg, a Black aviator, confronted racial prejudice to obtain a commercial pilot’s license.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. Its origin is linked to a racetrack founded by Asa Candler. Over time, as the importance of aviation grew, Candler’s racetrack eventually became a significant airport. Visionaries such as William Hartsfield, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Maynard Jackson played pivotal roles in establishing Atlanta as a major global aviation hub.

Holmes v. City of Atlanta was a landmark civil rights case that desegregated public golf courses in Atlanta. Dr. Hamilton Holmes, his sons, and Charles Bell fought against segregation in recreational facilities, with the support of Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP. The 1955 Supreme Court ruling, influenced by the earlier Brown v. Board of Education decision, declared such segregation unconstitutional. The case is a crucial part of Atlanta’s civil rights history.

In 1912, more than 1,000 Black people fled racial violence in Forsyth County, GA. Researchers from Atlanta History Center used historical records to trace the locations and lives of these displaced residents, revealing significant changes in their economic status, occupations, and living arrangements as they settled in nearby counties and beyond.

In 1912, Five Black people were arrested for sexually assaulting and murdering a white woman in Forsyth County. One of the five was lynched and the others received unjust trials. These events led white residents of Forsyth to force more than 1,000 Black residents to leave the county, creating the environment for a county that retains a majority –white population.

At the end of the Civil War, millions of enslaved people living in the United States became free. “Freedom Across Georgia” explores the experiences of six formerly enslaved people from Georgia and their individual stories of freedom.

On the same day Roe v. Wade was decided, the Supreme Court also ruled in Doe v. Bolton. Doe v. Bolton was the companion case to Roe v. Wade that expanded women’s access to abortion.