
A series of events took place in Alabama and throughout the South in the 1950s and 60s that culminated in the ultimate passage of the 1964 National Civil Rights Act and the 1965 National Voting Rights Act. On this five-day, four-night pilgrimage, you'll learn how each event, from the day in 1955 when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery to the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March, moved the arc of the universe a little closer to justice.
On this Pilgrimage, you'll visit historic sites, walk about the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, and meet unsung heroes and foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement. As a spiritual pilgrimage, we'll reflect on what we experience together so when we each return home, we can apply what we have learned to make a difference in today's world.
You'll also visit the Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery. The museum provides a comprehensive history of the United States with a focus on the legacy of slavery and the memorial tells the story of racial terror lynching victims in the United States.
Now is the time to gain the knowledge you need to build a community of leaders who will stand in the gap as brave veteran of the civil rights struggle have done for so many decades.
Come take your place on this long trail of history. Come see, learn, sing, and make a new way in the struggle for justice.
The time is NOW!
On this Pilgrimage, you'll visit historic sites, walk about the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, and meet unsung heroes and foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement. As a spiritual pilgrimage, we'll reflect on what we experience together so when we each return home, we can apply what we have learned to make a difference in today's world.
You'll also visit the Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery. The museum provides a comprehensive history of the United States with a focus on the legacy of slavery and the memorial tells the story of racial terror lynching victims in the United States.
Now is the time to gain the knowledge you need to build a community of leaders who will stand in the gap as brave veteran of the civil rights struggle have done for so many decades.
Come take your place on this long trail of history. Come see, learn, sing, and make a new way in the struggle for justice.
The time is NOW!
Itinerary
This five-day, four-night journey includes the following (subject to change):
*Itinerary subject to change
*Itinerary subject to change
Registration Information

The Living Legacy Project partners with Educational Travel Adventures (ETA) to manage registration and logistical planning for the 2024 April Alabama Pilgrimage. ETA is an experienced educational tour company who will ensure that you have a comfortable journey so you can focus places you'll be visiting and the powerful stories you'll be hearing.
Registration deadline is February 2, 2024. We expect trip will fill up so register early to secure your seat.
Registration deadline is February 2, 2024. We expect trip will fill up so register early to secure your seat.
Registration Rates
All inclusive (except for transportation from your home to and from Birmingham).
Package includes:
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How to RegisterREGISTRATION IS CLOSED. THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!Sign-up for the Waiting ListIf a seat opens up, we will contact you and, if you're still available and interested, you can register at that time.
Questions?
ETA'S excellent customer service is available for any questions you have about the registration process, travel insurance, or other needs you may have.
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Arrivals and Departures into Birmingham
Arrival
This Pilgrimage begins at 3:00 pm Central, Tuesday afternoon, April 2, 2024. If you cannot get a flight into Birmingham that arrives before 2:00 pm, you might need to make your own arrangements to stay overnight Monday in Birmingham.
Departure
The bus will return to the Birmingham airport by 1:30 pm Central on Saturday, April 6. We recommend that you book a return flight that departs at 3:30 pm or later. Although it's possible that you could make an earlier flight, we cannot guarantee it. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have questions about your departure time.
This Pilgrimage begins at 3:00 pm Central, Tuesday afternoon, April 2, 2024. If you cannot get a flight into Birmingham that arrives before 2:00 pm, you might need to make your own arrangements to stay overnight Monday in Birmingham.
Departure
The bus will return to the Birmingham airport by 1:30 pm Central on Saturday, April 6. We recommend that you book a return flight that departs at 3:30 pm or later. Although it's possible that you could make an earlier flight, we cannot guarantee it. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have questions about your departure time.
Cancellation Policy
All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Trip cancellation insurance is available when you register and is strongly recommended. It enables you and your traveling companion to receive a full refund if you cancel due to a family or medical emergency. If you purchase the trip cancellation insurance and you are cancelling for a non-medical/family emergency reason, you will be covered under our "Cancel For Any Reason Program" and can still receive a 70% refund of your payments made. It also provided coverage in the event your trip is delayed due to an airline flight cancelation resulting from weather or mechanical failure.
Insurance enables individuals to cancel and receive a full refund in the event of a family or medical emergency. Insurance providing medical coverage while traveling, baggage loss and trip delay is already included with your package. Trip cancellation must be purchased within 15 days of making your reservation. It is recommended that you purchase it at the time you reserve. For further information, please see our detailed insurance document. You may purchase travel insurance on-line during the reservation process.
All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Trip cancellation insurance is available when you register and is strongly recommended. It enables you and your traveling companion to receive a full refund if you cancel due to a family or medical emergency. If you purchase the trip cancellation insurance and you are cancelling for a non-medical/family emergency reason, you will be covered under our "Cancel For Any Reason Program" and can still receive a 70% refund of your payments made. It also provided coverage in the event your trip is delayed due to an airline flight cancelation resulting from weather or mechanical failure.
Insurance enables individuals to cancel and receive a full refund in the event of a family or medical emergency. Insurance providing medical coverage while traveling, baggage loss and trip delay is already included with your package. Trip cancellation must be purchased within 15 days of making your reservation. It is recommended that you purchase it at the time you reserve. For further information, please see our detailed insurance document. You may purchase travel insurance on-line during the reservation process.
Sponsor another participant |
Apply for a scholarship |
We encourage those who are privileged by means of their color or economic advantage to contribute a full or partial registration to our Living Legacy Project Scholarship Fund. This amount will allow a person whose life has been impacted by color discrimination, the legacy of enslavement, racism, and or economic disenfranchisement.
The value of this Living Legacy Pilgrimage is priceless. By donating toward the cost of the trip, you have an opportunity to take concrete action toward healing the wounds of racism. |
A limited amount of scholarship aid may be available to assist those who do not have the financial resources to afford the full cost of the Pilgrimage. Please complete the scholarship application as fully as possible. Scholarship decisions will be based on the information provided in this application. The number and the amount of the scholarships offered depend on the generosity of our donors.
All scholarship recipients must pay a minimum of $50 toward registration and most are expected to pay more. Applications that demonstrate how you might raise additional funds will be reviewed more favorably. Travel expenses are not included. However, don't forget to calculate the cost of round-trip travel to Birmingham in deciding how much of the registration fee to request. Note: Scholarship awards apply to double-occupancy only. If you do not have someone to room with, a roommate will be assigned to you. The deadline for receipt of scholarship applications is January 15, 2024. Following notification of grant awards, a completed registration form and the balance of fees are due by February 29, 2024. |
Pilgrimage Staff
This Living Legacy Pilgrimage and ETA provide four staff on this journey to provide education, music, and tour management. They are:

Annette Marquis, Civil Rights Movement Educator
Annette Marquis is the Director of Operations for the Living Legacy Project, Inc., a non-profit organization that educates people about the enduring lessons of the American Civil Rights Movement. Previously, she served the Unitarian Universalist Association as LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director, as acting Southeast Regional Lead, and District Executive for the Southeast District. Annette is the author of Resistance: A Memoir of Civil Disobedience in Maricopa County. Her writing has appeared in various journals and anthologies including Coming Out in Faith: Voices of LGBTQ Unitarian Universalism and The Women of Katrina: How Gender, Race, and Class Matter in an American Disaster. She regularly publishes three newsletters, "Wandering WordsWomen," "Accidental Mentors: Inspirational Stories of Women Who Shaped My Life by Just Being Themselves," and "Memoir Story Craft." You can find her writing at annettemarquis.com.
Annette lives with her wife Wendy in Richmond, VA, where she is a member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond. With Anita Lee, Annette is co-founder of The National Pledge to End Racism Initiative, based on the Birmingham Pledge.
Annette Marquis is the Director of Operations for the Living Legacy Project, Inc., a non-profit organization that educates people about the enduring lessons of the American Civil Rights Movement. Previously, she served the Unitarian Universalist Association as LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director, as acting Southeast Regional Lead, and District Executive for the Southeast District. Annette is the author of Resistance: A Memoir of Civil Disobedience in Maricopa County. Her writing has appeared in various journals and anthologies including Coming Out in Faith: Voices of LGBTQ Unitarian Universalism and The Women of Katrina: How Gender, Race, and Class Matter in an American Disaster. She regularly publishes three newsletters, "Wandering WordsWomen," "Accidental Mentors: Inspirational Stories of Women Who Shaped My Life by Just Being Themselves," and "Memoir Story Craft." You can find her writing at annettemarquis.com.
Annette lives with her wife Wendy in Richmond, VA, where she is a member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond. With Anita Lee, Annette is co-founder of The National Pledge to End Racism Initiative, based on the Birmingham Pledge.
Jan Sneegas, Civil Rights Movement Educator

Jan Sneegas is co-president of the Living Legacy Project Board of Directors, along with Reggie Harris. Jan retired from the Unitarian Universalist Association (a liberal religious denomination) in 2020 where for 17 years she was the Director of General Assembly and Conference Services. During that tenure she is most proud to have helped plan the Marching in the Arc of Justice Conference in March 2015. This conference, initiated by the Living Legacy Project with support from the Unitarian Universalist Association, commemorated the 50-year anniversary of the Selma bridge crossing during the fight for Civil Rights. Prior to working for the UUA, Jan was the Conference Coordinator for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. She holds a doctorate in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois where she also served on the faculty.
Music Educator/Song Leader, Effie Burt

A lifelong vocalist, Effie Burt was born and raised in Oxford, Mississippi as one of twelve musically gifted siblings. An international artist, Ms. Burt has graced stages from Beale Street to Cuba. Her range and style are diverse and engaging. She’s performed as a featured vocalist with symphony orchestras in both Iowa and Tennessee. And has also performed for a number of high-profile political events hosted by Governors, Senators and most notably, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
A composer as well, in 2000 Ms. Burt composed the theme song for Iowa’s All–State African-American festival, “I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa." And in 2006, in an historic, unanimous vote, her song was adopted by the Iowa State Legislature as an official song for the State of Iowa.
Other songs composed by Ms. Burt include, “Let the Blues Walk on by” and “Tell Me”, which both appeared on Bob Dorr’s Blues Compilation Album. In 1999, Effie released her first original gospel song “Written Amongst the Tears” to accompany the novel of the same name by author, Beverly Johnson. Effie was also featured on the Perfect Place Gospel album produced by Ricky Birkhead a professor of music at the University of Mississippi.
Effie can be found performing locally at venues like Thacker Mountain Theater and traveling throughout the south, with either of her two most treasured accompanists: ten-piece cover band, The Soultones and 3-piece jazz ensemble, Az Jazz. Having performed at festivals and events in countries like Martinique, Jamaica and Cuba, Paris and London. We are honored that Effie is joining us on this pilgrimage.
A composer as well, in 2000 Ms. Burt composed the theme song for Iowa’s All–State African-American festival, “I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa." And in 2006, in an historic, unanimous vote, her song was adopted by the Iowa State Legislature as an official song for the State of Iowa.
Other songs composed by Ms. Burt include, “Let the Blues Walk on by” and “Tell Me”, which both appeared on Bob Dorr’s Blues Compilation Album. In 1999, Effie released her first original gospel song “Written Amongst the Tears” to accompany the novel of the same name by author, Beverly Johnson. Effie was also featured on the Perfect Place Gospel album produced by Ricky Birkhead a professor of music at the University of Mississippi.
Effie can be found performing locally at venues like Thacker Mountain Theater and traveling throughout the south, with either of her two most treasured accompanists: ten-piece cover band, The Soultones and 3-piece jazz ensemble, Az Jazz. Having performed at festivals and events in countries like Martinique, Jamaica and Cuba, Paris and London. We are honored that Effie is joining us on this pilgrimage.
ETA Tour Manager: Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez will serve as a part of the team as tour manager (TBA) from Educational Travel Adventures. He'll be with us to make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. Carlos will manage the meals, hotels, bus schedule, museum entrance, and all the other logistic details of the trip.