Mary Elizabeth Parkman

Mary Elizabeth Peabody (née Mary Elizabeth Parkman; July 24, 1891—February 6, 1981) was an American civil-rights and anti-war activist in the 1960s. In 2013, she received the 'Dr. Robert B. Hayling Award of Valor' in honor of what she did in 1964. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Advocacy During the 1960s, major civil rights protests were being organized by some of the most famous activists in history, namely Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the spring of 1964, Peabody and her husband, Rev. Malcolm Peabody, attended church in Brookline - a church that she notes was very interested in civil rights and had many Black speakers come to preach. There, she was approached by Canon James Breedon, who was asking for volunteers to protest in St. Augustine, Florida. Her husband, busy with religious duties for Easter weekend, said he could not attend; however, Mary asked if any women were needed in attendance. Breedon said they would be glad to have anyone willing to join, so she joined the group of volunteers.

On a Sunday of the last week of March, Mary and the others traveled to St. Augustine, Florida, and were greeted upon arrival by Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (S.C.L.C.) and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s deputy. She, along with others, faced many challenges during their time in Florida, including refusal of service in restaurants and churches. During her trip to Florida, Mary and other protesters attempted to integrate several restaurants, all of which she was quickly removed from. She then tried to attend an Easter service at the Trinity Episcopal Church, where she was blocked from entering as church authorities heard rumors that 'radicals' wanted to attend. Mary decided it was time to make a grander statement, and follow the lead of a fellow volunteer, Esther Burgess, a Black woman. Mary decided to attempt to be arrested. She and others marched back to the motel dining room at the Ponce de Leon Motor Lodge - a site that she was previously removed from - and was arrested and charged with trespassing.

Her advocacy continued beyond arrest. During the hearing process, United States district court Judge Bryan Simpson delayed the ruling, which prompted Peabody to decide on staying a second night in jail, despite her bail being set. Her son, Rev. George Peabody, announced the decision after flying to St. Augustine to check on his mother.

Peabody acknowledged her position as an elderly, white advocate for civil rights. She knew she did not suffer the same treatment and could draw attention to the issue without being harmed. Her unique position enabled her to be a powerful advocate for civil rights.

St. Augustine sit-in Peabody's most notable news appearance occurred during a sit-in located in St. Augustine, Florida, where she was arrested and photographed behind bars. Her interactions with the press began after volunteering to go to the St. Augustine sit-in. After getting the attention of several newspapers, Peabody recalled in her personal accounts of the journey that papers were immediately jumping on the opportunity to interview the volunteers.

Death Peabody died on February 6, 1981, of heart failure in Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts.