Mrs. Thelma Bethea has long been a leader in her community and was intimately involved in the civil rights movement in Petersburg. From the first meeting of a Petersburg organization at Zion Baptist Church, to accomplishments made through non-violent protests and going to Washington, D.C. to hear Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Mrs. Bethea shares her experiences from the civil rights movement. She also talks of raising her children during the movement, continued progress in Petersburg and African American culture today.