Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
by Mara Rockliff, author; and R.Gregory Christie, illustrator
review by Pete Crow
This tightly-written and well-illustrated book reveals a little-known dimension of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of December, 1955 through December, 1966. No doubt you have heard of the roles played by Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King. But do you know the fascinating story of Georgia Gilmore? Probably not. That’s why adults will enjoy this book as much as the kids they read it to or who read it themselves. Ms. Gilmore refused to ride the bus before Ms. Parks did, and her kitchen-turned-restaurant became a favorite meeting place and fundraiser for MLK and the boycotters. Warning: Be prepared to yearn for some old-time, home-cooked fried chicken.
Questions to consider
Are there people in your life who do important things, like cooking or cleaning or carrying away our trash, who we don’t appreciate enough? Make a list. How can we show them they matter to us?
Going deeper
What does segregation mean? Is there still racial segregation today? What do you think about that?
Activity
As a family, try making one of Georgia’s recipes, Cold Oven Pound Cake
Biblical Reflections
Luke 22:7-12
The Last Supper
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.’’
Once you have read this scripture about the Last Supper with your child, ask who they think prepared the meal for the last supper. How might this scripture reading be like the story of Georgia Gilmore?