The story of Recy Taylor is one that is equal parts infuriating, heartbreaking and inspiring. Media mogul and visionary Oprah Winfrey honored Recy’s memory during her recent acceptance speech at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards. Recy’s courageous fight for justice will forever live on through the women who are able to stand bravely in their own truths today because she did so many years ago.
As we continue to honor her memory, here are 12 things you should know about the late Recy Taylor.
Recy was born December 31, 1919 in Abbeville, Alabama. She was the eldest of six children and worked as a sharecropper.
Although one of the men admitted to the rape and also named the other 5 attackers, no charges were ever brought against them.
After Recy bravely decided to speak out against her attackers, the NAACP sent Rosa Parks, known as their best investigator, to look into the case.
The lawyer representing the rapists offered Recy’s husband $600 ($100 for each attacker) if Recy were to “forget” the rape.
The six men who raped Recy were tried by an all-white, all-male jury.
Recy’s case inspired Rosa Parks to lead a national campaign calling for an end to the racially-fueled sexual assaults of Black women during the Jim Crow era.
Oprah shared Recy’s story and honored her memory during her acceptance speech as the recipient of the Cecil B. de Mille award at the 2018 Golden Globes.