Thread by @DrRJKavanagh

There was a fifth little girl, who unlike the four little girls who lost their lives, survived the KKK bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Her name is Sarah Collins Rudolph @SarahRudolp and she is the sister of Addie Mae Collins.

@SarahRudolp Mrs. Collins Rudolph has spent her life fighting for justice for her sister and herself. Every year on the anniversary of the bombing, politicians hold ceremonies and give speeches, but she has never received any compensation for the murder of her sister or what she has suffered.

@SarahRudolp When Congress awarded the four little girls its highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, in 2013, the 50th anniversary of the bombing, she declined the invitation to attend President Obama’s signing of the resolution.

@SarahRudolp “I’m letting the world know, my sister didn’t die for freedom,” she said at the time. “My sister died because they put a bomb in that church and they murdered her.”

nytimes.com/2013/09/15/opi…

@SarahRudolp Mrs. Collins Rudolph ended up attending. “What changed my mind is that I love my sister. She can’t talk for herself, but I can.”

@SarahRudolp Mrs. Collins Rudolph has had to work her entire life. She struggles not only with the mental trauma of the murder of her sister & surviving the bombing, but many physical conditions for which she has not had the finances to receive the best medical care & treatment she deserves.

@SarahRudolp As presidential candidates talk about reparations, this is one example where meaningful restitution can and should be made immediately. Symbolic recognition is important. Justice requires so much more.