September 17, 2004

On September 14th, 17 civil rights leaders were honored at the unveiling of the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, located close to Downtown Atlanta. More than 200 people watched as the Civil Rights Walk of Fame was unveiled about 10 a.m. from under a long black drape.

According to the National Park Service, the Walk of Fame was created to "pay homage to the brave warriors of justice who sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all." The new addition to the area is expected to enhance the historic value of the area, enrich cultural heritage, and augment tourist attractions. The shoes used to create the footsteps will also be on display during the unveiling program.

The project was the brain child of Xernona Clayton, founder and executive producer of the Trumpet Awards and a civil rights hero in her own right.

The Walk of Fame's 17 inaugural inductees were:

• Juanita J. Abernathy
• Ralph David Abernathy, Sr.
• Ivan Allen, Jr.
• Julian Bond
• Jimmy Carter
• Medgar Evers
• Dorothy Height
• Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
• Frank M. Johnson
• Lyndon Baines Johnson
• John Lewis
• Evelyn G. Lowery
• Joseph E. Lowery
• Thurgood Marshall
• Rosa Parks
• Hosea Williams
• Andrew Young

These civil rights giants represent the first phase of the Walk of Fame; there are 600 spaces designated for future placements.