The Legacy of Mamie Till-Mobley
The Legacy of Mamie Till-Mobley
After Emmett Till was murdered in 1955, his death was the spark that ignited the Civil Rights Movement. It also ignited his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley’s, career in education.
Emmett and Mamie lived in Chicago when he was young. In the summer of 1955, Emmett pleaded with his mother to spend time with his cousins in Mississippi. Ultimately, this would be where Emmett was abducted, and his life was taken by two white men. His open-casket funeral showcased the brutal reality of life for Black people in America. Nearly 50,000 attendees came to pay their respects and see the horrific cruelty of his murder firsthand. Emmett’s case quickly gained a great deal of media attention as he became a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. After Emmett’s murderers were acquitted, and his case gained even more notoriety, Mamie Till-Mobley knew what had to be done.
Mamie’s story did not end after Emmett was murdered. She turned to education. She began to bring awareness to her son’s death through speeches and teaching. It was her mission to tell Emmett’s story and make a positive impact on the world despite the pain she was enduring.
Loyola's Black Alumni Board established the Mamie Till-Mobley scholarship which serves as permanent remembrance of Till-Mobley's powerful role as a spokesperson for justice.
"We believe that Mamie’s story has the power to help us heal, survive, and thrive today – and that her story can help us solve some of the pressing issues facing society." SPOKENproject
In 1971, Mamie went on to receive a Master of Administration and Supervision from Loyola University Chicago. She served as a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools for 23 years, sharing hope, unity, and determination with her students. Mamie recognized the importance of education, and she pushed it to the limit. To Mamie, education meant everything. She believed that through education the world could become a better place.
Today, education continues to be a hope for a more promising future. Learning opens doors to new perspectives and deeper understandings. As the world continues to battle injustice and oppression, and there is still so much work that must be done, education shines a light on the fact that change is possible, and it is necessary.
The School of Education and SPOKENproject have been working to produce the documentary
Millions: The Educational Legacy of Mamie Till-Mobley, which will be released in 2024.
A SPOKENproject Production
Millions: The Educational Legacy of Mamie Till-Mobley
Mamie Till-Mobley used the transformative power of education to instill a sense of worth and purpose in her students knowing each person could contribute to the fight for equality.
Learn MoreIn 1971, Mamie went on to receive a Master of Administration and Supervision from Loyola University Chicago. She served as a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools for 23 years, sharing hope, unity, and determination with her students. Mamie recognized the importance of education, and she pushed it to the limit. To Mamie, education meant everything. She believed that through education the world could become a better place.
Today, education continues to be a hope for a more promising future. Learning opens doors to new perspectives and deeper understandings. As the world continues to battle injustice and oppression, and there is still so much work that must be done, education shines a light on the fact that change is possible, and it is necessary.