For the second week in a row, the country lost an icon of the Civil Rights Movement with the passing of Charles Evers on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. While the death of Congressman John Lewis received national media attention, the passing of Evers on Wednesday is of particular significance to the Museum, as he was a WWII veteran and one of the true heroes of the “Double V for Victory” campaign that fought for freedom and democracy abroad and at home in the United States.

The older brother of assassinated Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers, Charles served in the Pacific theater of operations during the war. He rose to the rank of Battalion Sergeant Major and saw service in both New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war, and his brother’s murder, he became a leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement by promoting voter registration efforts and speaking out against racism throughout his home state of Mississippi and the country as a whole.

In April 2016, the Museum was honored to host Mr. Evers, along with moderator Dr. Raphael Cassimere, former Mississippi Governor William Winter, and journalist Hodding Carter III, at our “Fighting for the Right” Symposium that coincided with our special exhibition on the African American experiences in World War II.