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Born to Jim and Ella Townsend in Montgomery County, Mississippi.
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Attended primary school and helped family pick cotton on the fields. Soon after third grade she left school.
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At age 16 she caught polio. Through her struggle it was discovered she could read and write. She was then W.D. Marlows time and record keeper for his plantation.
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At age 27 she married Perry "Pap" Hamer a tractor driver.
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In 1946 she was admitted into the hospital for a tumor to be removed. Without knowledge she was given an hysterectomy. Unable to have kids of her own.
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Once the civil rights movement took full effect in her hometown she jumped in head first. Joining the Student Nonviolent Coordinate Committee.
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In 1962 Ms.Hamer and 18 others went to a nearby town to vote. She was 1 of the 2 to attempt the literacy test and was told they both failed. They weren't able to vote and had to return home.
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On the way back from a voter registration the group she was traveling back with stopped for food. Instead of being served they were arrested. She was beat and wasn't taken to the hospital until 3 days later when she was released.
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A branch of the populist freedom party.
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She ran for Mississippi Congress in Democratic State Primary. Received more votes than her opponents but her name was disallowed on the ballot.
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Gave a speech before credentials committee, president, and other activist sharing her experience at the Democratic Convention.
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She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976.
Mound Bayou MS.
