Hosezell Blash

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Hosezell Blash was born in Jeffersonville, Georgia, a small hamlet off of highway 16 at the very center of the state.  Though he came from humble beginnings, he was very intelligent and eager to make his way in the world.  The first part of his journey started when he graduated in 1958 from the local high school and chose to attend Albany State College.  

He was very excited about arriving in Albany to get an education, with great energy, he spent most of his time working and attending classes.  One of his jobs was working with Professor Mamie Reese's husband that was a doctor in town.  

When the Albany Movement started among the students in the fall of 1961, Blash and his fraternity brother Harold Manning discussed getting involved.  Manning kept telling Blash "if we don't make this movement work, we can forget our civil rights."  Blash knew that he was tired of taking the back seat on buses, drinking from water fountains and going to places designated for "Coloreds Only."  So, they both gathered the courage and started attending mass meetings.  Finally, Blash demonstrated in December and ended up with Manning in the Mitchell County jail.  He clearly remembers, while they both were behind bars,  they contemplated how important it was that they support the civil rights cause.  

When Blash was released from jail Ms. Eva, whom he lived with in Albany, told him how proud she was of his efforts to put an end to Jim Crow and segregation. Today, Dr. Hosezell Blash raises his head high as he remembers that their actions paved the way for better things for future generations.  He says, "he is very thankful" that God allowed him to participate in the Albany Civil Rights Movement.