To honor the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, community members and officials gathered at the Pike County Courthouse Tuesday for a proclamation and a short ceremony.

In 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encouraged young people across the country to travel to the South to help register black people to vote. Hundreds responded, allowing thousands to be registered, including the workers for the SCOPE project (Summer Community Organization for Political Education).

In June 1965, volunteers came to Troy in response to King’s call, and offices were set up in Troy and Brundidge. Hundreds of people were taken to the courthouse to vote each day.

The SCOPE project registered almost 1,000 people that summer.

“It’s very important to highlight the 50th anniversary of the voting rights act because we have come a long way,” said District 5 Councilwoman Dejerilyn Henderson, who was in attendance Tuesday. “But we have a long way to go.”

Several members in the community were active in the Voting Rights Act in 1965, and they were present at the ceremony Tuesday.

“The purpose was to recognize those foot soldiers who participated in the initial voting right changes that took place at that time,” Henderson said. “Now we have African American elected officials throughout the state as well as the county. That happened because of the work that happened 50 years ago. Those people made it possible for African Americans to seek public office.”

Pike County Commission Chairman Homer Wright represented the Pike County Commission when he presented a proclamation at the ceremony.

“The County Commission recognizes the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in ensuring equality and freedom in the state and county,” the proclamation states. “We urge all citizens of Pike County to express their appreciation and thankfulness for the heroic efforts of these warriors and the sacrifices of all of those individuals who made that possible.”

John Reynolds, who was active in the SCOPE project traveled back to Troy for the ceremony, as well.

“It is so important that we recognize the work that went in prior to African Americans being able to serve,” Henderson said. “We must remember our history and recognize those who paved the way.”