"Rebel Girls Unveils the Unknown Narrative of Childhood during the Civil Rights Movement"
Storytelling extends beyond just highlighting a specific situation; it integrates historical context into the present and fosters optimism for the future. Picture being a teenage Black girl advocating for fairness in 1963, only to be apprehended and detained in a cell without beds, a restroom, or adequate sustenance. Could you muster the psychological fortitude to struggle for your liberty?
Up-and-coming filmmaker Felicia D. Henderson's directorial debut, Rebel Girls, is a contender for an Oscar nomination. This award-winning film at various festivals takes viewers to Americus, Georgia, highlighting an overlooked historical moment. Inspired by actual events, the film showcases the 1960s battle for Civil Rights through the eyes of the girls who rejuvenated the flagging movement through the power of imagination, camaraderie, faith, and tenacity.
During a Zoom interview, Henderson claims, "No one possesses the power to manipulate your thoughts. Despite approaching a potentially daunting period, this film urges us to look forward. Just because we find ourselves in this state doesn’t suggest that this state dictates us. This narrative of hope conveys, ‘We're strong. We'll endure. We will transcend it.’ We must, just like those girls did; they retreated into their thoughts. Physically incarcerated, but mentally, they were dreaming."
The notorious Leesburg Stockade incident gained wider recognition in 2016. Henderson's friend provided her with information about the story. It was the first time Henderson had heard of it.
Fifteen young Black girls, ranging in age from 10 to 15—some surviving victims recall it was closer to 30—were incarcerated for defying segregation laws. Their peaceful demonstration was met with brutality as law enforcement arrived, violently attacked them, and made arrests.
Without formal charges, the girls were held for 60 days in the Leesburg Stockade, an outdated Civil War-era building located deep in the Georgia woods. Meanwhile, their parents, only 20 miles away, remained oblivious to their children's whereabouts or the deplorable conditions they endured.
Upon learning about the situation, Henderson wanted to adapt it into a television series to shed light on the injustice and courage displayed by the girls. She connected with two survivors, Lulu Westbrook and Carol Seay, and secured rights to their life stories.
Having worked in the industry for three decades, from Soul Food to Empire, Henderson already had connections across various departments. She first consulted producer Liesl Wilke, who became her initial financial backer. This support prompted Henderson to assemble the team. Her high-profile behind-the-scenes crew included musician Kurt Farquhar, casting director Leah Daniels Butler, showrunners Mara Brock Akil and Caroline Williams, and Dr. Bernice A. King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter.
Focused on the young girls' perseverance during their ordeal, this new chapter in Henderson's career pushed her beyond her perceived limitations. Although she had to change the objective from a series to a short film due to Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes, she effectively captured the horrors of their situation.
Butler comments, "People rarely ask for help because of pride or fear of imposing, among other things. I watched Felicia do it, and everyone she asked responded with an affirmative. That speaks volumes about who she is."
The young freedom fighters of the Civil Rights movement had never received mainstream media attention. Henderson cast young actors for the film. Many of them participated in their first project.
The film takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring the girls' memories, their reality, and their escapism, which aided in maintaining their sanity during the 60-day ordeal before anyone knew what had happened to them. Kyanna “Keekee” Simone starred as Bertha, a determined boxer who envisioned winning a title.
"During the entire filming process, I was battling the flu, which somehow helped me connect with the character Bertha," Simone says. "Bertha was not initially politically engaged; she was thrust into this position where she had to fight for herself and the girls with whom she was trapped. I related to her struggle by experiencing the flu."
As women continue to advocate for gender equality in the workplace and society, these untold stories serve as vital sources of inspiration. By sharing these narratives, we amplify the voices of the silenced and encourage women to persist and stand up for what they believe is right. These overlooked journeys help others feel less alone during challenging times.
"My hope is for Rebel Girls to secure funding and develop into a feature film or TV series," King shares, "so that this generation, which is fearful of the times we are living in, can see themselves through the eyes of those young girls and find the courage to work together for freedom and draw inspiration from a previous generation that possessed the strength, courage, and resilience to resist injustice nonviolently."
Updated December 2024: 45 days revised to 60 days and age updated to 10 based on filmmaker's research with survivors.
Felicia D. Henderson's film, inspired by the Leesburg Stockade incident, earns her a mention in discussions about female movie directors aiming for Oscar nominations. The 1960s Civil Rights movement children's resilience and determination, showcased in the film, serve as a source of inspiration for modern advocates of gender equality. Henderson's new project, initially a television series, evolved into a short film due to Hollywood strikes but managed to highlight the girls' perseverance. Cheryl Robinson Forbes, a supporter of the civil rights movement, has expressed her appreciation for Henderson's work in bringing these stories to light.
