Marie Foster | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marie Priscilla Martin October 24, 1917 Wilcox County, Alabama, United States |
| Died | September 6, 2003 (aged 85) Selma, Alabama, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Activist Dental assistant |
| Known for | Being "the mother of the voting rights movement" |
Marie Priscilla Martin Foster (October 24, 1917 – September 6, 2003) was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. during the 1960s. Her successful voter registration in Dallas County, Alabama fueled her to become an activist, and she began teaching adult classes to help people pass the required literacy tests. She was the Alabama foot soldier that convinced Martin Luther King Jr. to come to Selma, Alabama and helped organize the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. Her dedication gave her the moniker "The Mother of the Voting Rights Movement," which was shortened to Mother Foster.[1]