CORE Leader: Irwin Marshall

Age: 41

Born: Dillon, Texas

Education: Morehouse College

An activist during his college years, Marshall majored in Criminal Justice at Morehouse College. Before graduating in 1937 he was a campus wide leader and was deeply involved in student government and civil rights protest groups. In 1946 he met Bayard Rustin whose shared passions pushed Irwin to join up with the New York Chapter of CORE.  Irwin’s most important contribution to CORE was the role he played as a special ambassador to the Montgomery Bus Boycott where he provided logistical expertise and coordinated the ride sharing system that enabled people to boycott the bus system.

Freedom Summer Leader: Abraham Fletcher

Age: 29

Born: Bronx, NY

Education: Columbia University

Abraham Fletcher traveled to the South to register Black voters. He also worked with the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) during the Freedom Summer. He worked to recruit volunteers for Freedom Summer and trained them in nonviolent resistance.

Freedom Summer Volunteer: Isaac Cohen

Age: 20

Born: Manhattan, NY

Education: Hunter College

Isaac Cohen volunteered with friend and fellow activist Mike Dickey to work on Freedom Summer. His past activism includes U.S. President Lyndon Johnson’s presence at the opening of the 1964 World’s Fair. He’s also worked to train and develop civil rights strategies at the Westen College for Women in Oxford, Ohio.