By Jackie Taggart
In the 1969 Parrish High School yearbook, a rare glimpse into my family’s history stands out—a picture of my father, the first African American to teach at an all-white Parrish High School in Selma. Back in 1964, he began his teaching career at RB Hudson High School, the cornerstone of Selma’s Black education. Alongside courageous educators like Margaret Moore and Reverend F.D. Reese—whom he marched with during pivotal moments of the movement—my father helped break down the barriers of segregation and inequality.
His early days in Selma were marked by tension and danger: escorted by the National Guard on his first few days at Parrish High School, he soon refused the escorts, determined not to let fear define his path. In 1966, he left Selma for Ann Arbor, Michigan, to further his education with a master’s degree at the University of Michigan, only to return in 1968 and resume his commitment to teaching at RB Hudson. He marched with Dr. King, joined fellow teachers in lunch counter sit-ins, and helped shape the movement through education and civic action.
My mother, Dorothy Kennedy Taggart, also played an essential role as a teacher at RB Hudson. She devoted countless hours tutoring community members, helping them overcome the literacy tests that barred many from registering to vote. Their dedication exemplifies how Black educators not only imparted knowledge but also ignited the fire for civil rights and social justice.
In 2012, during a conversation at the Board of Elections, Congressman John Lewis himself schooled me on the critical role that teachers played in the Civil Rights Movement. His insights underscored a powerful truth: educators were the unsung heroes who risked everything to empower their communities—even as they faced the threat of dismissal or arrest for daring to participate in the fight for voting rights.
As Selma readies itself for Jubilee 60—the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday—I am returning home to honor my family’s legacy and to share this vital history with you. Through exclusive interviews, rare photographs, and firsthand stories, I’ll be covering the events and celebrating the transformative power of education and activism that have defined Selma for generations.
Stay tuned for more from Jubilee 60, as we revisit the courageous past and the enduring spirit of the Black Belt Community.
Follow my journey with The Cincinnati Herald as we bring Selma’s story to life.