In July 1963, more than a dozen young Black girls, ranging in age from 12 to 15, were arrested in Americus, Georgia, for peacefully protesting the segregation of a local movie theater. Rather than being released to their families, the girls were secretly transported 30 miles away to Leesburg, Georgia, where they were held for weeks without charges in a remote, dilapidated building. The same structure had been used the previous year to jail pastors protesting in support of civil rights. The pastors spike about the horrible conditions upon their release.

Their parents were not informed of their whereabouts. The girls later described the deplorable conditions of their confinement: they were crowded into a single cell with no beds, limited access to water, and severely unsanitary conditions. Food was delivered by the local dogcatcher, who eventually disclosed to the parents where the girls were being held. Once this information became known, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) began organizing efforts to secure their release.

The girls became known as the “Leesburg Stockade Stolen Girls.” Their ordeal remained lhidden from the public until SNCC photographer Danny Lyon documented their imprisonment. His photos were first published in Jet magazine (see below) which finally brought national attention to the girls’ unlawful imprisonment.

The girls were (I have italicized their maiden names and linked to the most current info I could find about the women):

• Carol Barner-Seay
• Gloria Breedlove
• Pearl Brown
• Mattie Crittenden
• Diane Dorsey-Bowens
• Shirley Green-Reese
• Verna Hollis
• Melinda Jones-Williams
• Emmarene Kaigler-Streeter
• Annie Lue Ragans Laster
• Laura Ruff-Saunders
• Sandra Russell Mansfield
• Willie “Mae” Smith Davis
• Billie Jo Thornton-Allen
• Lulu M. Westbrook Griffin
• Barbara Ann Peterson

Over the years, the 1940s building (some articles are saying Civil War era, which I do not believe to be correct) has been used as a 911 call center and an administrative office, and is in significantly better condition than when the girls were kept there. It now sits empty and was unlocked when I visited. I suggest visiting if you are in the area to get a sense of how small the room was where the little girls were held.