“To God Be the Glory” 

 

Portrait by Mr. Ronald McDowell

 

 

In May of 2003 Chief Annetta W. Nunn had the opportunity to meet renowned artist Mr. Ronald McDowell during the 1^st Foot Soldiers Reunion, held in Birmingham, AL.  She told him about the idea she had for a portrait recognizing her achievement as the first female to be appointed as Chief of the Birmingham Police Department, who happened to be an African-American; and honoring those in the Civil Rights Movement whose sacrifices made it possible.

 

Although several events precipitated Mrs. Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955, this event is most often recognized as the spark that ignited the Civil Rights Movement.  Chief Nunn requested a portrait showing her helping Mrs. Parks from a bus in the Civil Rights district in Birmingham.  Mr. McDowell was inspired by the proposal and suggested other leaders be shown seated on the bus.  He would design the portrait as inspired by his artistic creativity.

 

The portrait features Chief Nunn in the foreground and assisting Mrs. Parks from a 1950’s transit bus.  Civil Rights leaders such as Reverend Ralph Abernathy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth are shown as they appeared during the movement.  Ms. Lillie Brown, a foot soldier, (and neighborhood leader when Chief Nunn served as the North Precinct Captain) is also seated on the bus.

 

Chief Nunn’s mother, Mrs. Inez B. Watts worked “over the mountain” for a white family during the ‘60’s.  She told her daughter how this family and other white citizens made financial contributions to the movement because they believed in justice for everyone, even if they could not say it publicly.  The white male seated on the bus represents them, as well as those who were beaten or lost their lives because of their open participation in the movement.  A black male seated beside Rev. Shuttlesworth represents black citizens who were involved in the movement.  Mrs. Watts is seated in the rear of the bus.  Without her and her teachings, Chief Nunn would not be where she is today.  The faces of four girls surrounds the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, which was bombed in 1963.

 

The portrait is entitled “To God Be the Glory”  because Chief Nunn acknowledges that He is why she has the position once occupied by “Bull” Conner.

 

We hope that this portrait inspires everyone to remember our past and realize how far we have come, especially our youth.  The Civil Rights Movement was led by members of the faith community who came outside the walls of their places of worship to change not only our community, but the world; in spite of the certain risk of personal injury or death.  Their examples from the past should lead us today.  We still have a ways to go, but with God all things are possible.  Don’t forget to remember where all your blessings come from.
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