Bethlehem Baptist Church and the New Gum Springs Civic Association will unveil the historical marker in honor of Annie E. Harper Saturday, July 22, 2023.
Annie E. Harper who resided at 7735 Fordson Road, was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, and was instrumental in the elimination of the poll tax.
Annie Harper will be honored with a marker unveiling ceremony on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 10 a.m. The site of the marker will be across the street from St. John’s Baptist Church located at 7730 Fordson Road, south of the intersection of Fordson Road and Richmond Highway. Afterwards, there will be a reception at Bethlehem Baptist Church, at 7836 Fordson Road, Alexandria, Va, 22306.
A Brief History:
Harper v. Virginia State Board of Elections, 383 U.S. 663 (1966), was a case in which the U.S. Supreme Court found that Virginia's poll tax was unconstitutional under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution (1964) prohibited poll taxes in federal elections. Five states (Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia) continued to require poll taxes for voters in state elections.
The Supreme Court’s
ruling in Harper’s case banned poll taxes in state elections. We salute Annie Harper for her great efforts in making it possible for all African
American citizens in Virginia to freely vote and for ending this method of disenfranchisement at the polls.