Joseph
Lowery was born in 1922. He grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. He was an educated
man having attended several universities, including: Knoxville College, Alabama
A&M College, Paine College, Paine Theological Society, and Garret Theological
Seminary. Lowery was a civil rights activist and a minister. He ministered
for 45 years at the Methodist churches in Alabama and Georgia. In 1957, during
his first ministry at the Warren Street Methodist Church in Mobile, Alabama;
he joined forces with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to establish the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference. Shortly after forming the S.C.L.C., he became
the vice-president. During his tenure Lowery was instrumental in many addresses
and movement of the S.C.L.C. In 1967, his biggest accomplishments in the organization
were being named chairman of the board, and a decade later, becoming president.
Around this time the S.C.L.C. was experiencing a great deal of disorder, debt,
and declining membership. As the president, Lowery shifted their direction
and rebuilt the organization. He addressed international issues, opposed trade
with South Africa and supported the Palestinian cause. In 1982, he led a 2,700
mile march to strengthen the Voting Rights Act. He was one of the million
who traveled to Washington, D.C to participate in the Million Man March. Lowery
also organized the campaign, "Stop the Killing/End the Violence"
that removed 12,000 guns from the street. Joseph Lowery retired as president
of the S.C.L.C. at the age of 71, and remains a leader in the African-American
community.
