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Carolyn Cunningham and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

School/Organization:

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Overview:

Carolyn Cunningham was born and reared in Birmingham. After high school graduation, she left for New Orleans and Chicago, eventually graduating from Southern University in Louisiana with degrees in Speech and English. Upon returning to Birmingham in 1961, Cunningham was offered a teaching position at Ullman High School. Shortly after joining the faculty, she became involved in the civil rights movement both directly, as a participant, and indirectly, as a role model to her students.

Listen to Carolyn Cunningham talk about the pressures local educators faced as they decided whether or not to participate in movement activities.

Length: 2:43

Content Areas: Social Studies

Alabama Course of Study Alignments and/or Professional Development Standard Alignments:

[T1] ALS (4) 14: Describe the social, political, and economic impact of the modern Civil Rights Movement on Alabama.
[T1] US4 (6) 13: Describe the role of major civil rights leaders and significant events occurring during the modern Civil Rights Movement.
[T1] UH4 (11) 12: Trace events of the modern Civil Rights Movement from post-World War II to 1970 that resulted in social and economic changes, including the Montgomery bus boycott, the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, the march on Washington, and the Freedom Rides.