Many people played a role in the Civil Rights Movement. She Stood for Freedom is a brand new children’s book that tells the story of Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. Although raised in the South and surrounded by segregation, Joan was angered by the unfair treatment of people because of the color of their skin. In 1960, despite the protestations of not only her family, but also the administration at segregated Duke University, Joan joined the Civil Rights Movement. When asked why: Joan said, “I’d already reached a point where I knew segregation was wrong. As a Southerner, I felt I should do my part to make things better.”
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland went on to participate in sit ins, marches, jail-ins, Freedom rides, and served time in jail. Illustrated with photographs and artifacts from the Civil Rights era and Joan’s life, this biography by her son, Loki Mulholland, provides an excellent introduction to the time period, and the bravery of the protesters who risk their lives to end segregation.
We recommend this book highly. It is beautifully written and illustrated and brings to life the young white teenage girl who risked everything to fight injustice in a way young readers will understand. It is an excellent introduction to what it means to be an ally. There are both primary and middle grade editions. Loki Mulholland has also produced a movie of Joan’s life An Ordinary Hero.