Participants in the 1969 sit-in (L to R) Mary Carter, Effie Sledge, Pearlie White, Maggie Crawford, Yvonne Stanford and Lula Jones.CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University will unveil a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker commemorating the 1969 student sit-in, a pivotal moment in the university’s history and in the broader Civil Rights Movement in the Mississippi Delta.
In February 1969, members of the Black Student Organization presented university leadership with a list of ten demands addressing concerns that included the need for Black faculty and counselors, fair grading practices, an end to racial slurs in the classroom and greater academic and cultural representation on campus. When students believed their concerns were not being adequately addressed, they organized a peaceful sit-in at Kethley Hall, then the university’s administration building. On March 10, 1969, 52 students were arrested following the demonstration and transported to the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, where they were held overnight. The event became one of the most significant civil rights moments in Delta State’s history and remains a defining chapter in the institution’s ongoing journey toward greater inclusion and equity.
In late fall of 2025, six participants of the sit-in gathered in the office of Dr. Mandy Truman, Director of the Delta Center for Culture and Learning, to reflect on their experiences and guide the historical account for the marker. The meeting allowed them to share firsthand stories and ensure the text accurately represents the events of 1969.
“I listened as these women reconnected and reminisced about their brave actions in 1969,” said Truman. “It was a powerful experience to see history pieced back together in the Delta Center and to witness their courage and joy in revisiting these moments. It showed me the importance of preserving and honoring Delta history.”
The Delta Center for Culture and Learning organized the meeting as part of its ongoing work to research, preserve and share the history and culture of the Mississippi Delta, reflecting the Center’s commitment to engaging directly with those who are connected to Delta history.
Sit-in participant Effie Sledge shared her hopes for the marker’s impact: “It is my hope that viewing the marker will remind us that we stand on the shoulders of our great ancestors and on God’s goodness and power. It is also my hope that one will be encouraged to learn and celebrate the legacy of great faith and perseverance.”
The Mississippi Freedom Trail marker will be unveiled on the 57th anniversary of the sit-in, Tuesday, March 10 at 11 a.m. in front of Kethley Hall, with a reception to follow in the lobby of Ewing Hall hosted by the Delta Center for Culture and Learning.
For more information, contact the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University by email at mtruman@deltastate.edu.
