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Key moments and achievements from Joanne Bland's life.
Joanne was born
· Selma, Alabama, USA
Life Event
At just 11 years old, Jo Ann Bland marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965 — known as Bloody Sunday — when state troopers attacked peaceful voting rights marchers. This experience shaped her lifelong commitment to civil rights activism.
Life Event
At just 11 years old, Jo Ann Bland marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965 — known as Bloody Sunday — when state troopers attacked peaceful voting rights marchers. This experience shaped her lifelong commitment to civil rights activism.
Life Event
As a young foot soldier in the Civil Rights Movement, Bland participated in the historic Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, joining thousands of others demanding equal access to the ballot during one of the movement's most pivotal campaigns.
Life Event
As a young foot soldier in the Civil Rights Movement, Bland participated in the historic Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, joining thousands of others demanding equal access to the ballot during one of the movement's most pivotal campaigns.
Life Event
In 1993, Bland co-founded the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Alabama, which honors those who fought for voter equality and preserves the history of the voting rights movement for future generations.
Life Event
In 1993, Bland co-founded the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Alabama, which honors those who fought for voter equality and preserves the history of the voting rights movement for future generations.
Life Event
Bland founded Journeys for the Soul, an educational tour program that brought visitors from across the United States and abroad to walk the same paths of struggle that she once did as a child, providing immersive civil rights history education.
Life Event
Bland founded Journeys for the Soul, an educational tour program that brought visitors from across the United States and abroad to walk the same paths of struggle that she once did as a child, providing immersive civil rights history education.
Life Event
Bland co-founded Foot Soldiers Park and Education Center in Selma to preserve and teach the history of civil rights activism for future generations, creating a physical space dedicated to honoring the unsung heroes of the voting rights movement.
Life Event
Bland co-founded Foot Soldiers Park and Education Center in Selma to preserve and teach the history of civil rights activism for future generations, creating a physical space dedicated to honoring the unsung heroes of the voting rights movement.
Life Event
Following Bland's death on February 19, 2026, U.S. Representative Terri Sewell honored her life and legacy on the House floor. A ceremonial crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge was held in her honor on March 4, 2026, retracing the route she first walked at age 11.
Life Event
Following Bland's death on February 19, 2026, U.S. Representative Terri Sewell honored her life and legacy on the House floor. A ceremonial crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge was held in her honor on March 4, 2026, retracing the route she first walked at age 11.
Joanne Bland passed away
