Shaw Civil Rights Project

06/06/2025

05/12/2025

Share your stories.

05/10/2025

It has been a long time since I’ve posted something but I knew I would eventually, my research and love for my home continues. Yesterday (May 9, 2025) we found and uncovered a small section of the swimming pool in Shaw. It was a public pool paid for with public tax dollars by both Black and White citizens of Shaw. BUT the Black citizens were not allowed to swim in it. If you have pictures and memories share them with us please. History is powerful and fun knowledge.

03/24/2021

Today, we’re accepting the Preserver of Mississippi Culture award for “Hawkins vs. Town of Shaw Project, which produced a play and a series of historical markers telling the story of a local freedom movement in the Mississippi Delta that culminated in a groundbreaking federal civil rights case.”

Thank you to the Hawkins family for your contributions and allowing us to tell your story.

On Friday, March 26, join the Mississippi Humanities Council for our 2021 Public Humanities Awards Ceremony to honor outstanding contributions to the humanities in Mississippi. Join former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Natasha Trethewey and our other award winners for the virtual event at 7pm.

01/11/2020

We the People from Shaw and Choctaw: Yes, we made history again!!!! The MS Humanities Council has selected the Hawkins v. Town of Shaw Project for the Preserver of Mississippi Culture Award for 2020 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” - Helen Keller. I am proud to share the zipcode of 38773 with so many people. And I am happy to share the success of the 50th Commemoration of Hawkins v. Town of Shaw with all of the organizations and individuals that supported my hometown - thank you💕! Congressman Bennie G. Thompson and the MS Humanities Council were the first to say we need to tell and preserve the forgotten about civil rights story of “Hawkins v. Town of Shaw.” Thank you Glory, Nola Mae, and Mary Sue 🙏🏽❤️. And by far, thank you Mr. Andrew and Mary Lou Hawkins - the father and mother of the Shaw Civil Rights Movement.

I was reminded as I was out driving around Shaw to see the damage from the severe storm last night, that this project had so many components and all were equally important but I just love driving on “Andrew and Mary Lou Hawkins Memorial Highway” every time I’m driving on Highway 61 within the city limits of Shaw (North and South bound). Thank you State Representative Tracey Rosebud and former State Senator now Transportation Commissioner for the Central District of Mississippi, Commissioner Willie Simmons for making that happen. So if you are in a Shaw stop and take a picture but watch for traffic.

Rather than type all of the names, see our list of supporters and the letter from the MS Humanities Council see the attached photos.

01/10/2020

It is such an honor to be a recipient of the Mississippi Humanities Council 2020 Preserver of Mississippi Culture award for the amazing work of the Hawkins vs. Town of Shaw Project.

Many people and organizations worked tirelessly to make this important event successful. 🥳 Thank you to: Mississippi Humanities Council, Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area, Delta Hands for Hope, Delta Arts Alliance, the Hawkins Family the Hawkins V. Shaw Project committee, StoryWorks Theater, Mayor Evereth Stanton, The West Bolivar School District, and the entire Shaw community.

For the 50th anniversary of the Hawkins v. Town of Shaw lawsuit, we honored Mr. Andrew and Mary Lou Hawkins and other civil rights leaders who participated in the Shaw, MS civil rights movement.

This three day event included renaming of the highway after the Hawkins family, creating a pop up museum, hosting a luncheon to honor civil rights veterans, participating in the homecoming parade, and witnessing an original play based on the lawsuit and life and legacy of Andrew Hawkins and his family.

09/30/2019

We’re less than a week away until opening night for ! See you on Saturday at McEvans School.

09/28/2019

So exciting! We’re at McEvans School gymnasium rehearsing on the stage! For behind the scenes footage, head over to the StoryWorks Instagram page (@ storyworkstheater). We’re one week away from showtime!
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Mississippi Humanities Council Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area Delta Arts Alliance