The Limestone County NAACP Branch will host the Alabama NAACP State Conference 57th Annual State Convention at the Decatur Holiday Inn Oct. 22-25 with a special guest appearance by a woman who was beaten and left for dead at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma on March 7, 1965.

Guests include Amelia Platts Boynton, 98, a member of the group that formulated strategies for nonviolent social resistance in Alabama and most widely known as a civil rights activist and organizer for the march over the Edmond Pettus Bridge.

Renowned African American artist Gilbert Young, who painted “He Ain’t Heavy,” one of the most widely recognized works of art in contemporary black art history, will appear courtesy of the Alabama State NAACP and Gateway Educational Foundation Inc., founded by James and Genise Brown.

The photo of Boynton lying on the bridge after being brutalized and gassed by policemen and left for dead was broadcast around the world. Guests are invited to meet Boynton during the Mass Meeting and Delegate Reception Oct. 23 beginning at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively. On Oct. 24, Boynton will participate in a youth seminar.

Young’s work, including his new release featuring the image and signature of President Obama entitled “History + Hope = Change,” will be sold Oct. 23-24 with part of the proceeds benefiting the Alabama State NAACP.

The theme for this year’s convention is “NAACP; 100 Years of Bold Dreams and Big Victories,” in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the National NAACP organization, which was founded in February 1909.

Speakers and attendance fees include: Juanita Sales Lee for the WIN Breakfast, president Federal Bar Association, $20; Ed Vaughn, Alabama State Conference president for the Freedom Fund Banquet, and a performance by the Aeolians of Oakwood University, $35; Rear Admiral Clyde Marsh, USN Retired, commissioner, Alabama State Department of Veterans Affairs who will speak at the military luncheon, $20; and youth luncheon speaker, James Nortey, president of Harvard NAACP, $20.

The conference will also include several workshops, including: Health Care/Health Care Reform, Legal Redress, Veterans Benefits, American Indian Cultural, Grant Writing, Black Land Loss, and Women in NAACP (WIN). Many others are planned for the convention, according to Benard Simelton, Limestone County branch president and convention chairman.

Simelton said a 100-voice male chorus composed of local singers will entertain during the Mass Meeting. Also, Attorney Thomas J. Methvin, managing partner of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C. law firm of Montgomery and recently elected president of the Alabama State Bar Association, will make remarks.

This is also an election year for the state conference and Simelton of Limestone County and Jimmy Gardner of Mobile are running for president.

Conference registration is $25 and open to everyone. Contact Simelton at (256) 426-6406 or Edward Vaughn, state president, at (334) 714-4128 for more details.