Ollie Gordon is a second cousin and surrogate daughter to the late Mamie Till Mobley, mother of Emmett Louis Till, whose tragic murder in 1955 near Money, Mississippi, sparked the Civil Rights Movement. Ollie spent the majority of her childhood in the home with Mamie and Emmett after Alma Spearman (Emmett’s grandmother) assisted with the relocation of her family from Drew, Mississippi. Mamie nurtured Ollie along with her siblings throughout the years as they would often spend weekends and summer months together. Mamie and Ollie developed a special bond during her formative years that grew stronger after the untimely death of Ollie’s mother. Their unique relationship became unbreakable as Mamie endowed her with maternal support until her death in 2003.
Ollie’s first experience with death and the emotional effects of grief occurred at the tender age of
eight when her cousin and playmate Emmett Till was murdered. Ollie shares intimate reflections of
her first experience with racism as a child witnessing the family’s reaction to notification of Emmett
Till’s abduction, confirmation of his murder and attendance at his funeral.
Through the years Ollie witnessed Mamie’s continued efforts of activism. Mamie guided Ollie
through college affording her the opportunity to complete her education, ultimately receiving her
Masters of Science in Education. Ollie followed in Mamie’s footsteps working for Chicago Public
Schools in Specialized Services with emotionally disturbed and socially maladjusted children for 34
years. Ollie’s experience teaching in the Mental Health Environment coupled with 17 years of
teaching in the Correctional Education Environment is the driving force behind her commitment to
social justice and breaking the perpetualism of the school-to-prison pipeline. Ollie credits Mamie for
reinforcement of her strong spiritual foundation and value of a good education.
Over the years, Ollie was encouraged by Mamie to accept the baton for continuance of her work
through the Emmett Till Foundation. Ollie initially rejected this “charge” until her daughter
Airickca’s near death experience provoked her to the realization that she too exists for a greater
purpose. Together Ollie and Airicka co-founded the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation in
2009 and she travels the country speaking at various schools, universities, churches,
conferences, and community rallies in an effort to Remember the Past and Educate the Future.
“I just couldn’t say NO anymore as I am positive Mamie’s spirit is guiding us along this never-ending
journey.”