In the heart of the American South, a small group of Haverford students, faculty, and staff embarked on an immersive journey along the Civil Rights Trail. The trip, envisioned by Haverford’s Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) division as an annual spring break undertaking, illuminated the history of America’s marginalized people and fostered a deeper understanding of the nation’s complex past.
The group immersed themselves in some of the most important civil rights sites across Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. From Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home in Atlanta to the emotionally charged National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala., each leg of their journey offered a poignant reminder of the struggles and resilience that continue to shape American society.
Participants were led through an itinerary curated by trip leader Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity and Access Sayeeda Rashid, which carefully balanced educational rigor with moments of bonding and respite. The trip’s highlights included visits to landmarks like the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the National Civil Rights Museum, where the impacts of past marches and protests continue to reverberate.
Haverford’s photographer, Patrick Montero, accompanied the group on its trip. His photographs provide a visual narrative of the places they visited and the stories they uncovered.
