Dandridge is one of the last surviving members of the mothers of the Civil Rights Movement, and is best known as the leader of the Cambridge Movement, a struggle for civil rights and economic opportunities for African-Americans in Cambridge, Maryland in the early 1960’s.  Richardson’s influence was wide ranging; she was personally invited to attend the March on Washington in 1963, but ultimately was not allowed to speak because she is a woman.

In July 1963, Attorney General Robert Kennedy—who Richardson had asked earlier to provide protection for demonstrators’ constitutional rights—met with Richardson, other civil rights activists and government officials to broker the Treaty of Cambridge, an agreement covering desegregation, housing and employment issues.

Richardson also led a protest when Alabama's segregationist governor, George Wallace, visited Cambridge. It was only in July 1964—the same month that the Civil Rights Act became law—that the National Guard permanently withdrew from the city.

Later, Richardson moved to New York and has worked for the National Council for Negro Women and the New York City Department for the Aging.

ESNC’s mission is to raise awareness of issues in Dorchester County and to creatively work with the community to inform, educate, and foster change which leads to social and economic empowerment. For more information about the organization, visit our website, www.esnccambridgemd.com.

For more information about the events of “Reflections of Pine”, visit www.reflectionsonpine.org.