Lesson recommended for grades 3–5, though adaptable for younger and older studentsThis story about Georgia Gilmore and her efforts to aid and support the fight for justice in segregated Montgomery, Alabama, is a beautiful reminder of the power of individuals to enact change through specific and intentional efforts. This biography of a woman who protested and testified, as well as fund-raised and fed the people during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, is a needed telling of one of the oft-neglected individual stories of the Civil Rights Era.D2.Civ.2.3–5. Explain how a democracy relies on people's responsible participation and draw implications for how individuals should participate.D2.Civ.8.3–5. Identify core civic virtues and democratic principles that guide government, society and communities.D2.Civ.12.3–5. Explain how rules and laws change society and how people change rules and laws.D2.His.3.3–5. Generate questions about individuals and groups who have shaped significant historical changes and continuities.D4.6.3–5. Draw on disciplinary concepts to explain the challenges people have faced and opportunities they have created in addressing local, regional, and global problems at various times and places.Note that this lesson is designed for students who have prior context with some elementary school studies of the US Civil Rights protests and reasons for protesting for equal rights under the law. Students should have some knowledge of key figures of the movement involving Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks, all standards in elementary social studies curriculum. This lesson is intended to deepen the understanding of this movement beyond those main figures by highlighting a lesser-known, but highly influential activist, Georgia Gilmore. It is essential for students to begin this lesson with a level of knowledge of those figures and a general knowledge that African American citizens in the South, along with some allies from varying backgrounds and places, protested for equal rights through actions like marches, boycotts, and speeches. Having general knowledge of the Montgomery Bus Boycott might also be needed to work further in this lesson. Students will use that prior knowledge to move from the overtaught and superficial understanding of the Civil Rights Movement to a more nuanced conception that everyday individuals and their activism executed in specific ways helped to launch and sustain the larger movement. It is advised to review the above ideas and figures prior to reading this book and moving into this lesson so that students can connect this to prior knowledge and revise misconceptions.ExplorationBefore ReadingDevelopmentDuring reading:After reading:ExpansionClosure:AssessmentExplorationDevelopmentExpansionBook:Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito and illustrated by Laura FreemanThis children's picture book is another retelling of Georgia Gilmore and her activism during the Montgomery Bus Boycott and can be used as another source and companion piece. Resources from Dee Romito's website can be found at PIES FROM NOWHERE - DEE ROMITOElectronic Resources:Blejwas, E. (2019)An excellent resource of biographies relevant to notable Alabamians, including collections, galleries and quick facts, this website showcases Georgia Gilmore's information, as well as others that would be useful in working with students on this or other units.Gilmore, Georgia - Encyclopedia of AlabamaGodoy, M. (2018)This 6 Minute Food History and Culture audio file reports on the life and activism of Georgia Gilmore, including primary resources of the voices of Georgia Gilmore, her son, her friends, and local activists telling of Gilmore's legacy.Meet The Fearless Cook Who Secretly Fed – And Funded – The Civil Rights Movement: The Salt: NPRMiller, K. (2019)This New York Times article explains Georgia Gilmore's activism and her lasting impact in the areas of both social justice and culinary arts.Overlooked No More: Georgia Gilmore, Who Fed and Funded the Montgomery Bus Boycott – The New York Times (nytimes.com)Table A1Terms listThe Club from NowhereCollection platejusticejust causesegregationdesegregateboycottunconstitutionalunconstitutional
Holly Hilboldt Swain (Wed,) studied this question.