Sarah Collins Rudolph is the sole survivor of the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing in Birmingham, Alabama—a horrific act of racial violence that took the lives of four young Black girls, including her sister, Addie Mae Collins. Severely injured and permanently blind in one eye Sarah’s life was forever changed by this tragic event, which became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
This week, Mrs. Collins Rudolph addressed the Anna Maria College community to share a message of strength, compassion and resilience. Despite enduring physical and emotional scars, Sarah has dedicated her life to sharing her story, preserving the memory of those lost, and advocating for justice. Her courage offers powerful lessons on the impact of racism, the importance of remembrance, and the enduring fight for civil rights.
During a haunting retelling of the church bombing, Mrs. Collins Rudolph described getting ready at home, walking the 16 blocks to church, being with her sister and friends after Sunday School in the Church’s downstairs ladies lounge, the deafening blast, the glass in her eyes, and the church deacon who lifted her through the rubble. “Why did they kill those little girls,” she later asked herself when she learned more about the bombing. As part of her healing journey, she later forgave her attackers. “God saved my life. I was supposed to be dead. I had to forgive them. God kept me going so this story could stay alive.”
After answering several questions from students and attendees, Sarah, joined by her husband George, a Vietnam Vet, inscribed her book, “The 5th Little Girl.” A copy is available in the Anna Maria library.
Coverage of this event from the Telegram & Gazette
Video of Sarah Collins Rudolph’s Visit to Anna Maria College
