Shirlene Mercer, the last remaining member of the ‘Freshman Four,’ has passed away.

Mercer, Kimmie Davis, Ernest Brooks Sr., and Wesley McClure – freshmen at Lane College – became civil rights pioneers after staging a sit-in at F.W. Woolworth Department Store at the corner of Main Street and North Liberty Street in downtown Jackson in Oct. 1960.

The activists endured threats, harassment and had objects thrown at them when they chose to sit at the “whites only” lunch counter within the store.

This protest sparked a movement throughout the city as demonstrations moved on to other businesses downtown in an effort to fight Jim Crow laws and end segregation.

The brave actions by this group are viewed as part of Jackson’s history and American history.

The “Freshmen Four” were instrumental in changing the laws in Jackson and subsequently had a lasting impact on generations of African Americans in Jackson.

An exhibit – counter and stools – were donated by the late Clark Shaw of The Old Country Store – and located on the first floor of City Hall, in front of the George A. Smith Meeting Room where Woolworth’s once stood.

The exhibit was dedicated March 1, 2021.

A park named in her honor, the Shirlene Mercer Walking Trail Park, 800 East Chester Street, became home to the Seven Pillars African American Memorial Monument, and was dedicated October 30, 2020.

A native of Jackson, she and husband, Luther, have two children – LaTina and Luther II.

She received her education at Merry High School in Jackson and Lane College. Her graduate work was completed at the University of Memphis and Austin Peay State University.

After graduating from Lane College, she became a teacher in Missouri, but later returned to Jackson.

She taught school in Hardeman County for over 24 years.

As a teacher, Shirlene Mercer served in many capacities of the teaching profession. She was the President of the Hardeman County Teachers Association. She also served as a member of the Minority Affair Council and as the 7th District Representative of the Tennessee T-Pace Council representing 17 West Tennessee Counties for the Tennessee Education Association.

In 1989, Mrs. Mercer became the Director of District Services for Congressman John Tanner.

Active in her community, she served as Chairperson of the Board of West Tennessee Healthcare, Board member of the Jackson YMCA, chairperson of the Board of the Jackson Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol, and past Vice Chair of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

She was a member of the Tennessee Hospital Association, the Tennessee Governance Board, the American Hospital Association ‘s Metropolitan Board, a member of the West Star, Leadership Program at the University of Tennessee at Martin, and the Citizens Police Academy.

She also served as chairperson of the Jackson Leadership Council, helping organize and participate in weekly anti-crime marches, working on crime reduction.

(PHOTO: Shirlene Mercer – courtesy Union University)