Civil rights activist Myrna Carter Jackson, who was twice arrested during marches in 1963 in the effort to protest Birmingham’s racial segregation laws, has died, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute said.

Jackson died on May 31. She was 82.

“Born in Birmingham on July 9, 1941, Mrs. Jackson was a pillar of our community, a tireless advocate for human rights, and a beloved friend and mentor to many,” the BCRI said in a joint statement with the NAACP Metro Birmingham Branch and the Civil Rights Activist Committee.

“Throughout her lifetime, she demonstrated unwavering dedication to justice, equality, and the betterment of our society. Her passion for civil rights was more than a cause; it was a calling. From organizing pivotal rallies to providing guidance and mentorship to the next generation of activists, Mrs. Jackson’s impact was profound and far-reaching.”

At age 21, she became active in marches, sit-ins and demonstrations organized by the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, led by the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.

“It took the effort of many, many to get that done and make the progress that was made,” she said in a 1999 interview. “I’m grateful for the small part I had to play.”

She was an active member of the Metro Birmingham Branch of the NAACP, serving as its first vice president for more than 20 years and establishing Women in the NAACP.

She also served on the board of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute from 2010 to 2014, in addition to being an active volunteer who educated groups from all over the world about the civil rights movement. In 2017, Mrs. Jackson helped organize the official designation of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

“Mrs. Jackson continued to be a voice for equality and justice into her golden years, keeping the letter and spirit of the movement alive and becoming a true matriarch of Birmingham,” the BCRI said. “Mrs. Jackson was always eager to share her experiences with the youth of today, making it a point to take part in the annual BCRI Children’s March Reenactment.”

Mrs. Jackson was featured in the Oscar award-winning documentary detailing the mass participation of children during the 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Movement, “Mighty Times: The Children’s March.”

She is also featured in numerous books on the civil rights movement.

“Mrs. Jackson is the epitome of grace under fire,” said DeJuana L. Thompson, president and CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. “We are forever grateful for her service and, personally, I am grateful for the time she took to pour into young leaders such as myself.”

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will feature an exhibit in honor of Mrs. Myrna Carter Jackson during its Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 15. The memorial display, including original artwork of Mrs. Jackson, will be on view in the BCRI Rotunda through the end of July.