Civil rights activist. Episcopal priest. Lawyer. Author. Those are just some of the roles Pauli Murray played during a life spent breaking barriers of race and gender.
Murray was often ahead of her time. A founding member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Murray also crusaded for Black rights during the Jim Crow era. And before all that, Murray spent her early years living with relatives in Durham. That former residence is now home to the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, which turned 10 this month.
On a recent Saturday, the center marked the anniversary — and its namesake’s multifaceted legacy— with a daylong celebration. Akiya Dillon dropped by and shares her impressions.
Above: Dancers take to the streets at the Pauli Murray Center’s 10th anniversary celebration. Photo by Ana Young — The 9th Street Journal