HR117INTRODUCED
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HR117
QNNMV41-1
By Representative Chestnut
RFD:
First Read: 05-Mar-25
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5 QNNMV41-1 03/04/2025 NG (L)NG 2025-1129
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First Read: 05-Mar-25
HR____ COMMENDING SADIE MAE SIMMONS MITCHELL MOSS AT THE
FOURTH ANNUAL FOOT SOLDIERS CELEBRATION FOR HER
CONTRIBUTIONS DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
WHEREAS, it is with immense pride and pleasure that
we celebrate and remember Sadie Mae Simmons Mitchell Moss at
the Fourth Annual Foot Soldiers Celebration for her lasting
contributions to the Civil Rights Movement; and
WHEREAS, Sadie Moss was born on January 19, 1942, to
the late Frances and Walter Simmons in Orrville, Alabama;
her family moved to Selma when she was just two years old;
she attended elementary school at Selma University and Clark
Elementary School before going on to high school at R.B.
Hudson High School; she continued her education at Alabama
State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science
Degree, a Master Degree, and an Education Specialist Degree;
her educational journey began at Selma University, and she
has spent much of her life in service to the youth of Selma
and Dallas County; and
WHEREAS, for over 50 years, she has been dedicated to
educating the young people in her community; she has worked
as a teacher, a counselor, and now as the Director of the
McRae Gaines Learning Center, a position she has held since
2005; she now has the privilege of working with children
from 12 months to seven years old, whom she affectionately
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from 12 months to seven years old, whom she affectionately
calls her "babies"; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of her many years of
dedication, the school's summer learning program was named
in her honor in 2018; the program, called the "Sadie Moss
Summer Learning Institute," provides critical learning
opportunities in English, mathematics, the arts, and
physical activity for children ages four to eight; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her work in education, she
has been heavily involved in the Selma community; she became
a member of the Selma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Incorporated, in 1987 and served as President from
2000-2004 and 2008-2012; through her involvement, she
volunteered throughout the city and Dallas County in many
capacities, from mentoring youth through the Delta Academy
Program to participating in events like ringing bells for
the Salvation Army, Adopt-a-Mile, and GetFit, Selma!; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her community service, she is
proud to have been a part of the Civil Rights Movement as a
Foot Soldier; she marched and was even arrested and held at
the old National Guard Armory; and
WHEREAS, she retired in 2005 from the Selma City
School System after spending 18 years as a fifth-grade
teacher; before that, she worked as an elementary guidance
counselor and taught at Concordia; throughout her career,
her mission has always been to serve the children of Selma
and Dallas County, ensuring they have the education and
support they need to thrive; and
WHEREAS, she is a proud mother of three children,
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WHEREAS, she is a proud mother of three children,
Ronald, Donald, and Stephanie Mitchell, and has been blessed
with two godsons, Gary Chapelle and Ivery Williams, as well
as six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; her family
has been an incredible support throughout her life; she is
also fortunate to have one brother, Alfred, and two sisters,
Jo Ann and Lynda, who have been steadfast pillars in her
life; and
WHEREAS, Sadie Mitchell Moss demonstrated uncommon
determination to pursue the right to vote and other
opportunities which had been denied to African Americans
through the practice of segregation; as a result of the
courage and persistence of Mrs. Parrish and other foot
soldiers, the federal government passed the Voting Rights
Act of 1965; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That at the occasion of the Fourth
Annual Foot Soldiers Celebration, Sadie Mae Simmons Mitchell
Moss is recognized as a formidable force during the Civil
Rights Movement and is commended for her extraordinary
contributions to securing the right to vote for African
Americans throughout the country and in her home State of
Alabama.
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