Andrew Young's Return to Georgia

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Civil Rights leader Andrew Young, renowned for his pivotal role in the movement alongside Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., returned to his roots in Thomasville, Georgia, for the opening of a traveling exhibit titled “The Many Lives of Andrew Young.” The event took place at an arts center near Bethany Congregational Church, where Young began his pastoral career in 1955 before joining the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The exhibit, organized by the National Monuments Foundation, showcases Young's remarkable journey through a collection of photographs, memorabilia, and personal reflections. It draws inspiration from a book by Ernie Suggs, a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and highlights Young's significant contributions to the civil rights movement, including his involvement in key marches in Selma, Birmingham, and St. Augustine. Young's legacy extends beyond his civil rights activism; he made history in 1972 as the first black Georgian elected to the U.S. Congress since Reconstruction. His political career also included serving as the United Nations ambassador under President Jimmy Carter and as the mayor of Atlanta from 1982 to 1990. The exhibit not only celebrates Young's achievements but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice, reflecting the enduring impact of his work in the community and beyond.