Endesha Ida Mae Holland

Endesha Ida Mae Holland (August 29, 1944 – January 25, 2006) was an American scholar, playwright, and civil rights activist.

Early life Born in Greenwood, Mississippi, Holland never knew her father and was raped at the age of 11. Later she was expelled from school and became a prostitute.

SNCC Upon hearing that members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) had come to Greenwood, Holland sought out one of the male members in hopes of soliciting him for prostitution. The man, however, led her directly to the committee's office hoping to convince her to become involved. On witnessing the office operations, Holland found herself deeply impressed by the sight of African-Americans conducting themselves in such a businesslike manner and she began volunteering there. She was interviewed as part of the 1994 feature documentary film Freedom on My Mind.

Family life Holland was married three times; each union ended in divorce. Holland has one child, Cedric Holland.