Description: (Former American minister in the United Methodist Church and leader in the civil rights movement, founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther King Jr.)
Joseph Echols Lowery was a significant figure in the civil rights movement, known for his leadership as a minister in the United Methodist Church. He co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and held various important positions within the organization. Lowery was actively involved in pivotal civil rights efforts during the 1950s and 1960s, and his commitment to the cause persisted well into the 21st century. In 2009, he was honored for his contributions with the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama.