Zilphia Horton

Overview

Zilphia Horton (née Johnson) born Spadra, Arkansas April 14, 1910 (d. 1956). Singer and composer of protest anthem “We Shall Overcome”. Labor organizer; music director of Highlander Folk School, which trained many civil rights leaders.

Quotations

“We will overcome, we will overcome someday. Oh, down in my heart, I do believe, we'll overcome someday.” (her version; photo nyfolklore.org)