Discover the History of Civil Rights in Florida
Patricia Stephens Due
(1939–2012)
"They told us to be quiet. We raised our voices even louder for freedom."
Patricia Stephens Due was a fierce and fearless leader whose activism helped define
the civil rights movement in Florida. Born on December 9, 1939, in Quincy, Florida,
Patricia’s life was dedicated to the cause of justice, and her contributions reverberated
across Tallahassee, where her work as a student and activist transformed the city into a
center of civil rights activism.
In 1960, while a student at Florida A&M University (FAMU), Patricia Stephens Due,
along with her sister Priscilla and other activists, staged sit-ins at segregated lunch
counters in Tallahassee. These courageous acts of resistance led to their arrests, but
Patricia refused to pay the fine and instead chose to spend 49 days in jail—an
extraordinary stand for justice that would become one of the longest jail sentences from
a civil rights demonstration in U.S. history.
Her activism wasn’t just about confronting Jim Crow; it was about mobilizing
communities, organizing grassroots efforts, and educating the public about their rights.
Patricia was a leader in the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and helped orchestrate
boycotts, sit-ins, and protests throughout Florida, challenging the status quo in cities like
Tallahassee, Miami, and Gainesville.
Her marriage to John Due, a civil rights attorney, created a powerhouse couple who
worked together to dismantle the oppressive systems that held Black Floridians down.
Together, they fought for voting rights, equal education, and access to public
accommodations. Patricia’s activism was bold and unapologetic, and her spirit
continues to inspire future generations of activists.
Patricia Stephens Due’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the history of Tallahassee. Her
fight for justice helped transform the city into a beacon of the civil rights movement in
Florida, and her influence spread throughout the state, touching the lives of countless
people. Her life reminds us that real change comes from courage, sacrifice, and the
unwavering belief that justice must be served.
