Doris and Joyce Ladner discuss organizing for the March on Washington with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Dorie Ladner recalls her work with SNCC in Natchez, Mississippi, and the murder and trial of Medgar Evers. They both remember growing up in Palmers Crossing, Mississippi, their family history, joining the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) youth chapter led by Clyde Kennard, and the impact that Emmett Till's murder had on their generation. Doris also recalls attending Tougaloo College, staying at the Freedom House in Jackson, Mississippi, and organizing the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
Remembering the Life of Dorie Ann Ladner, '76
Remembering the Life of Dorie Ann Ladner, '76
With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Dorie Ann Ladner, ‘76, a true pioneer and champion of injustice and equality. Dorie's legacy as a tireless advocate for civil rights, etched with courage and compassion, shall forever inspire generations to come.
Born and raised in racially segregated Mississippi, Dorie's journey was one of courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the cause of civil rights. From her earliest days, she stood firm against oppression, refusing to bow to indignity. A pivotal moment of resistance in her youth, when she courageously defended her dignity against a white storekeeper's assault, foreshadowed a lifetime of unyielding defiance against injustice.
Dorie’s path intersected with history at every turn. As a pioneering member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP) Youth Council Chapter, Dorie fearlessly challenged segregation policies and organized voter registration drives, despite facing the looming specter of violence. In the crucible of Mississippi's Freedom Summer, she braved threats and intimidation to empower disenfranchised African Americans, leaving an indelible mark on the struggle for civil rights. Her commitment to justice knew no bounds, as she lent her voice and her presence to every major civil rights protest of the era, from the March on Washington to the historic march from Selma to Montgomery.
As an alum of Howard University’s School of Social Work, class of 1976, Dorie exemplified the values of service and advocacy that would come to define her life's work. Beyond her activism, Dorie's compassion extended to the lives she touched as a social worker, offering solace and support to those in their moments of greatest need for 28 years in the ER of District of Columbia General Hospital. Her selfless dedication to serving others reflected the true essence of her character.
Dorie Ann Ladner is survived by her sister Joyce Lader, a civil rights activist, author, and sociology professor who served as the first woman interim president of Howard University from 1994-1995. She is also survived by her daughter, Yodit Churnet; another sister, Billie Collins; a brother, Harvey Garrett; two stepsisters, Willa Perryman Tate and Hazel Perryman Mimbs; two stepbrothers, Freddie and Archie Perryman; and a grandson.
We honor and celebrate Dorie Ann Ladner’s legacy towards her fight for civil rights. May her memory be a blessing, and may we carry forward her torch of justice with unwavering resolve.