The Legacy

Who Was Frederick D. Reese?

Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglas Reese was an educator, pastor, activist, and civil rights leader from Selma, Alabama. F. D Reese exemplified dignity, leadership, service, and fearlessness in the fight for voting rights in America. He was born on November 28th, 1929, and passed away on April 5th, 2018.

Known affectionately to family and friends as “F.D.”, Reese served as president of the Dallas County Voters League and was one of eight Selma citizens collectively known as the “Courageous Eight.” The Courageous Eight organized Dallas County residents to take a stand against racist voting restrictions and discrimination.

Reese organized and led the Teachers’ March in Selma, where Black educators marched into the city hall demanding the right to vote and be treated equally. This was one of the first times American teachers had ever collectively stood up for their civil rights in such a public way.

Alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other prominent civil rights activists, F. D. Reese worked to secure Black Americans’ right to vote in Selma. He helped organize the marches from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 that played a crucial role in the passage of the Voting Rights Act later that year.

A teacher and pastor for over 50 years, Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Reese empowered students and citizens to stand up for what was just and to take responsibility for their roles in their community.

Why Does The Foundation Exist?

Our mission at the Frederick Douglas Reese Foundation is to preserve F. D. Reese’s legacy and pass on the lessons he taught us. We hope to continue his life’s work of empowering others through education and civic engagement.

We believe that every person has something to learn and something to teach. This foundation allows us to educate others about Rev. Dr. Frederick Reese’s history in the Civil Rights Movement and allows him to continue teaching.

Specifically, we know that underserved communities in America struggle to access educational resources and opportunities. Not everyone has the same opportunities to learn about civics and engage in their communities. Our foundation allows us to reach young people where they are by leveraging non-traditional forms of education and technology. By empowering youth to become civically aware leaders, we hope to change the world for the better.

Rev. Dr. Frederick Reese inspired us to stand for what is right. It is our duty to pass on that lesson, along with his teachings about service, leadership, and education. Let’s continue his fight by empowering others to become students and teachers.

Biography

Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglas Reese (November 28, 1929 – April 5, 2018) was a distinguished pastor, educator, and civil rights leader from Selma, Alabama, whose courage and leadership helped transform the fight for voting rights in America. He played a central role in the Selma Voting Rights Movement and worked closely with national leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to advance justice and equality.

Early Life and Education

Frederick D. Reese was born in Selma, Alabama. He graduated from Alabama State University, where he studied mathematics and science, and later earned advanced degrees in education and theology. Reese dedicated much of his early career to education, teaching math and science at R.B. Hudson High School in Selma and later serving as a principal.

As an educator, Reese believed deeply in preparing young people not only academically but also morally and socially. His commitment to justice naturally led him into the Civil Rights Movement.

Leadership in the Civil Rights Movement

Reese became one of the most influential local leaders in Selma’s fight for voting rights. In 1962, he was elected president of the Dallas County Voters League (DCVL), the primary organization working to register African American voters in the region.

He was also one of the historic “Courageous Eight,” a group of Selma leaders who risked their lives to challenge voter suppression and segregation in Alabama.

One of Reese’s most significant acts of leadership came in January 1965, when he organized and led the Teachers’ March in Selma, mobilizing more than 100 African American teachers to march to the Dallas County Courthouse to demand their right to vote. This action marked the first time a professional group in the South publicly marched for voting rights and helped energize the movement.

As president of the Dallas County Voters League, Reese also helped invite Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to Selma, which ultimately led to the historic Selma-to-Montgomery marches of 1965. These demonstrations drew national attention and contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Ministry and Public Service

In addition to his activism, F. D. Reese served for more than five decades as pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Selma, where he emphasized faith, justice, and community service.

He also continued his public service as a member of the Selma City Council for more than a decade, advocating for equality, education, and economic opportunity for the city’s residents.

Honors and Legacy

Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Reese received numerous honors for his contributions to civil rights. In 2016, he and other Selma “foot soldiers” were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.

A section of U.S. Highway 80 in Selma was renamed Dr. Frederick D. Reese Parkway in recognition of his leadership in the movement.

Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Reese passed away on April 5, 2018, at the age of 88. His life remains a powerful testament to faith-driven leadership, civic courage, and the belief that ordinary citizens can transform history.

Legacy In Action

JUSTICE

Fight for what is right, even if it means standing alone.

EDUCATION

Knowledge is power, and education is the key to molding future leaders.

SERVICE

Do your part in serving your community and those around you.

FAITH

Maintaining dignity, self-pride, and strong moral character.

“Never let our history be rewritten. Remember the truth.”

Honoring the Legacy

Civil Rights Contributions

Dr. Frederick Douglas Reese was a teacher, minister, and community leader in Selma, Alabama, who understood the value of exercising one's right to vote.

When citizens of Selma were denied this right and prevented from participating equally in democracy, Reese and many others mobilized to protest these unfair practices and demanded change.

He served as president of the Dallas County Voters League, which sought to organize African American voter registration in Selma. He also led more than one hundred Black teachers in the Teachers' March to advocate for voting rights in January of 1965.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Reese was heavily involved in Selma's voting rights movement as an educator and advocate for equal rights.

As president of the Dallas County Voters League, F. D. Reese sought to organize African American voter registration in Selma. He also led more than one hundred Black teachers in the Teachers' March to advocate for voting rights in January of 1965.

On January 22, 1965, Dr. Reese led a group of over one hundred Black teachers down Selma's Broad Street to protest the inequalities that Black Americans encountered when attempting to exercise their right to vote.

During a time when Black teachers could lose their jobs for participating in civil rights protests, these demonstrators marched fearlessly from Brown Chapel AME Church to the Dallas County Courthouse to make their voices heard. Reese served as the point man.

The efforts of Dr. Reese and other Selma activists were instrumental in passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They showed the country that change will never come if citizens do not work for it.

Timeline

1929

Frederick Douglas Reese was born on November 28, 1929, in Selma, Alabama.

'29

1950s-1960s

F. D. Reese is an educator and active community leader, serving in various positions that promote civic engagement and education.

60s

Early 1960s

Becomes president of the Dallas County Voters League.

'60

1963-1964

F. D. Reese organizes with several local leaders to become the "Courageous Eight" that helped to bring national Civil Rights organizations to Selma.

'63

January 1965

Mobilizes and leads Black teachers in the Teachers' March in Selma.

'65

March 1965

Activism in Selma led to the Selma to Montgomery marches.

'65

August 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law.

'65

1970s-2000s

F. D. Reese continues his service to the community as a pastor, educator, and leader.

00s

April 5, 2018

Dr. Frederick Douglas Reese passed away.

'18

Honors & Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Voting Rights Museum

The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute recognized Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Reese for his lifelong activism and dedication to civil rights.

Highlight of the Selma History Award

Civil Rights leaders recognized Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Reese as one of the eight leaders from Selma who helped to highlight the struggles faced by Black Americans.