The City of Tampa will honor the 65th anniversary of the historic Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins with a special ceremony recognizing the surviving participants of the movement that helped shape the city's Civil Rights history. Mayor Jane Castor will present a proclamation to former Florida State Senator Arthenia Joyner and other sit-in participants in commemoration of their courage and impact on desegregation efforts.
The event will also highlight the upcoming Stageworks Theatre production of When the Righteous Triumph, a stage play chronicling the 1960 Tampa sit-ins, returning to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in March.
Tampa’s Woolworth sit-ins began on February 29, 1960, when a group of Middleton and Blake High School students in Tampa led by Clarence Fort joined with community leaders, such as Rev. A. Leon Lowry and future Florida State Senator Arthenia Joyner, to stage peaceful sit-ins at the Woolworth lunch counter in downtown Tampa. Inspired by similar demonstrations across the country, these students courageously took seats at the segregated counter, refusing to leave until they were served. Unlike in other cities where protests were met with violence, Tampa’s sit-ins were known for their disciplined, nonviolent approach, which ultimately led to the development of the "Tampa Technique,” a strategic desegregation plan that facilitated a peaceful transition to integrated public spaces. The sit-ins played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in Tampa and contributed to the broader Civil Rights Movement in the South.
“These students and community leaders who took a stand against injustice in Tampa shaped not only our city’s history but the broader fight for equality,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “Their legacy serves as a powerful reminder that change starts with courage. As we honor these civil rights pioneers, we also look forward to sharing their story with a new generation through an incredible stage production.”
When the Righteous Triumph, an original play by Tampa playwright Mark E. Leib, tells the story of the 1960 sit-ins and their lasting impact on civil rights. The play is set to run from March 6-9 and March 15-16 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
Media representatives are invited to attend the proclamation ceremony planned for Thursday, February 27, outside the former F.W. Woolworth building located at the intersection of N. Franklin St & E Polk St in downtown Tampa. Please RSVP to media@tampagov.net.