From Selma to Sorrow: The Life and Death of Viola Liuzzo

by Mary Stanton

More than thirty years after the murder of Viola Liuzzo by the Ku Klux Klan, she remains an enigma. Some saw her as a dedicated civil rights worker, others as a troubled housewife. Some thought she was a victim of random violence and government conspiracy, while others thought she was an unfit mother who got what she deserved.

From Selma to Sorrow is the first full-length biography of the only white woman honored at the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery. Born and reared in the South, Liuzzo moved to Detroit as an adult. At the time of her death she was married to a high-ranking Teamster and had five children. While a part-time student at Wayne State University she became involved in civil rights protests and decided to participate in a voting rights march in Selma, Alabama. On March 25, 1965, Liuzzo and a young black man named Leroy Moton were on their way from Selma to Montgomery after the march. Klansmen followed Liuzzo's car along Highway 80 for twenty miles, then pulled alongside and fired shots. Liuzzo was killed instantly and Moton, covered with her blood, escaped by pretending to be dead when the killers returned.

Because this group of Klansmen included an FBI informant, Liuzzo lost her life in more ways than one. To deflect attention and to cover up his recklessness in permitting a known violent racist to work undercover during the march, J. Edgar Hoover crafted a malicious public relations campaign that unfairly portrayed Liuzzo as an unstable woman who abandoned her family to stir up trouble in the South. The years of unrelenting accusations, innuendos, and lies nearly destroyed her husband and five children.

In From Selma to Sorrow Mary Stanton searches for the truth about Liuzzo's life and death, using extensive interviews, public records, and FBI case files to tell a startling story of murder, betrayal, and passion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Social Justice, American History, Social Issues, True Crime

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Mary Stanton was born in Florida and grew up in Japan and Hawaii, after which she returned to the United States and received a B.A. in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Minnesota.

Stanton’s career as a fiction writer began with the publication of her first novel, The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West, in 1984. A beast fable similar in tone and theme to Watership Down, it was published in the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. The sequel to that novel, Piper at the Gates, appeared in 1989. She sold her first mystery to The Berkley Publishing Group in 1994.

In all, Stanton has written nineteen mystery novels, two adult fantasy novels, eleven novels for middle-grade readers (including the successful series, The Unicorns of Balinor), and three scripts for a television cartoon series, Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders, as well as edited three short story anthologies. Her nonfiction articles on horse care and veterinary medicine have appeared in national and regional magazines.

Stanton's newest series, The Beaufort & Company Mysteries, was launched in December 2008 with the publication of Defending Angels. Set in Savannah, Georgia, the paranormal mysteries chronicle the adventures of Bree Winston-Beaufort, a young lawyer who inherits her uncle's law firm and its deceased clientele, whom she represents in appeals before the Celestial Court.

The second book in the series, Angel's Advocate, was published in June 2009, followed by Avenging Angels in February 2010.

Mary also publishes the Hemlock Falls and Dr. McKenzie mysteries under the name Claudia Bishop. See the Claudia Bishop web site for more information.

Stanton’s interests outside writing have remained consistent over the years. She is a horsewoman, a goat aficionado, an enthusiastic (if inept) gardener, and a fan of gourmet food, but not an expert. She has developed a writing program for teens and middle grade readers that has had considerable success in schools.

Stanton has been a dedicated reader all her life, with particular emphasis on biography, history, veterinary science, medicine, psychology and current affairs. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America.

Reviews

[Katherine Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts a little slow and you think, oh my goodness, this is going to be the author talking about her self the whole time. But once she settles in, this book is a really interesting search for "who was Viola Liuzzo?" What did she mean for the Civil Rights Movement? George Ziegelmueller told me about her and how she had lived in Detroit and gone to Wayne, but it was really interesting to learn more about her. The end of the book is especially interesting in its coverage of how memory works in the Civil Rights Movement.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first learned of Viola Liuzzo when I briefly worked in the Detroit Department of Neighborhoods and had heard of the unveiling of her statue and christening of a park in her name (truly a long time coming after hearing the fight to have a street named in her honor— and it still wouldn’t have happened without the deep investment of block clubs), and her story piqued my interest. I was surprised I had never heard her name before.

So many threads of this history can be traced to our present-day moment, the glorification of the KKK and racist mythologizing as endorsed by elected leaders, the webs of power within police unions and associations, the press and deliberate use of disinformation, and a battle for “the soul of the nation.” I think it’s important for white people to uncover histories of other white people that have actively resisted white supremacy and worked towards collective liberation. This biography humanizes her with such care, a direct reclamation of her legacy from state-backed smear campaign from Hoover’s cointelpro. I appreciated all of the context to situate her life in Detroit and the rest of the Civil Rights Movement. I couldn’t help situating my own grandparents’ life in Detroit in relation to hers. Though there wasn’t justice in her life or death for her family, she no doubt impacted everyone she came into contact with leaving us with this reminder that the work still continues.

[Drick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Stanton writes about her personal quest to understand the death of Viola Liuzzo, a 39 year old white woman who was murdered by KKK member on Route 80 between Selma and Montgomery, AL on the night of March 25, 1965. Liuzzo had come to AL from her home in Detroit to take part in the historic voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery. Stanton does a good job of describing the controversy that stirred after here death. Because an FBI informant was part of the group that killed Liuzzo and because then FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, was highly critical and suspicious of the Civil Rights Movement, a sophisticated smear campaign and coverup followed the death of Liuzzo, so that the actual facts of what happened the night of her death will never be known. Stanton does a good job of depicting Liuzzo has a courageous yet impetuous woman who defied the mores of her time, and the entreaties of her family to put her life on the line for racial justice. The sad part of the story is not only her death, but also the tremendous pain and suffering events subsequent caused her five children and her family. For those interested in the details of Civil Rights history, this book gives clear insight to the tensions and struggles of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was well-written, and provided a great overview of the civil rights struggle, along with the story of Viola Liuzzo. I admire her courage and convictions.

My favorite quote from the book (actually a quote of a quote):

“Author Eddy Harris, whose southern odyssey took him to Greenwood, Mississippi, in the early 1990s described a conversation he had with a white woman whose mother belonged to a segregated church in the 1960s. When the older woman was asked, “Wouldn’t Jesus have let those black people into his church?” she answered, “of course he would have, but Jesus would have been wrong.” From the 1993 book South of Haunted Dreams by Eddy Harris.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. I cannot praise this book highly enough. Not that it is without flaw, but rather because it paints a powerful picture of an amazing woman - Viola Liuzzo who was murdered after completing the march from Selma to Montgomery. I preached on this in Savannah on April 13, 2008

[Carrie F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Selma to Sorro is the life and death of Viola Liuzzo. She was a white woman who was killed during the Civil Rights march in 1965, Selma to Montgomery. I also watched Selma, Lord, Selma about the same march.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot believe how completely this story has been written out of the modern narrative of the Civil Rights Movement. Stunning, really. The book itself isn't incredible, but worth reading to get the story of Viola Liuzzo.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never heard of this woman or her story. Amazing how history gets "written". Glad to know Stanton carried enough.

[Dick Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The late Rep. John Lewis was a good friend, particularly back in the days when he was on the Atlanta City Council. We talked often about his early days fighting for voter rights and, in particular, the march from Selma to Montgomery in the mid 60's. I recently took my grandson to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma where John and others were seriously beaten during one particular protest march. From Selman to Sorrow is an outstanding look at those times and attitudes as experienced by a white wife, mother, and part-time college student who believed she had to join the fight for voter equality for all United States citizens. Viola Liuzzo suffered a violent death simply for living her beliefs. In the whole history of the era she left but a small footprint. And yet her life was lived in full and heroic commitment to racial equality. Mary Stanton, while perhaps a touch rough around the edges as a writer, has produced an outstanding biography of northern suburban activist Viola Liuzzo. In the "us vs. them" times we seem to be living in in 2022 this book is an excellent reminder of our darkest past and a stark warning of the darkness our future could have in store.

[Kelli Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I believe this is a book that should be read by everyone; especially anyone that was not present during the time known as the civil rights movement. Even though I have read a lot and seen a lot of documentaries, talked to people who were there, etc...still this book had a way of punching me in the gut. Some things will never not be shocking.
I have to say that there were several times when I had to put the book down because it was simply hard for my soul, but that's just the truth. I never expected it to be an light read.
The thing I enjoyed most about the book though, was the personal additions. Knowing more about Viola as a woman and as an individual was a beautiful experience. I have a personal and very deep emotional connection to Mrs. Liuzzo. So learning about her in these pages really touched me. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for more insight into the civil rights movement, or a look at race relations in America, or anyone really. & if you've never heard of her, then please look in to her story.

[Andrew Dittmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading history:
Normally I keep this in my private notes section, but I'm moving it. Yay!

Reading history was not added on Goodreads, but was instead kept on a post-it note with the book.


Started June 13th, 2025.
Finished July 25th, 2025.


June 13th, 2025: read preface, acknowledgments, through pp. 12 (top of page) (@ Honda dealership buying car).
June 16th, 2025: read pp. 12 (first new paragraph) - pp. 35 (page break).
July 12th, 2025: read pp. 35 (page break) - pp. 82.
July 18th, 2025: read pp. 83 - pp. 141 (through 2nd full paragraph).
July 24th, 2025: read pp. 141 (first new paragraph) - pp. 202 (page break).
July 25th, 2025: read pp. 202 (page break) - pp. 226 (epilogue).

[Sarah Jean (Albers) Elsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Viola Liuzzo was white woman living in Detroit Michigan who marched for racial justice in Selma, Alabama, during a civil rights protest, who was then followed in her car and killed by angry KKK members. While her story seems like it should be an obvious tragic account instead hers ended up being very controversial some seeing her as an inspiration and some even by other white women blamed her for her recklessness and not staying home like a “good housewife and mother” even some as far as “she must of been a whore and drug user”. Her family harassed ,grave marker repeatedly trashed, and Hoover-FBI-KKK cover up makes the book very interesting but also frustrating to be reminded of how far people would have gone just to have African Americans be denied their rights.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Selma to Sorrow was a beautiful telling of a troubled soul who saw wrongs and injustices and tried to make a difference. Mrs. Liuzzo was born with a heart full of life, and it guided her to many places, yet she seemed always to be looking for the next place she needed to be. Her heart was always busy.

I loved how the author combined facts, details, interviews, news articles, FBI files, and conjecture to present an honest picture of not only the Liuzzo family, her friends, and the civil rights fight, but the struggle her family continued to battle after the senseless killing.

The history of Mrs. Liuzzo should never be forgotten. I highly recommend this book for history lovers, true crime readers, teachers, and Civil Rights lovers. Mrs. Liuzzo was A beautiful, kind, thoughtful, and loving woman whose soul was too good for America’s racist rhetoric.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quotable:
My life seemed stretched out before me like some great ocean, and there were days when just getting out of bed and traveling to work felt like a trans-Atlantic flight in bad weather.

There was little sympathy from the [local] white clergy for the northern ministers, priests, and rabbis who were coming to Selma. A black Baptist minister was refused entrance to the First Baptist Church, and Selma's white Catholic Church not only turned away all blacks who attempted to attend Mass but all priests and nuns who had come to the city for the march.

Twenty-five thousand people went down on that march and only Vi and Reverend Reeb didn't make it back. The odds were pretty good that she would come home, don't you think? She never intended to get herself killed down there.

Vi found little comfort in organized religion. She synthesized a personal religion from many different traditions, believing deeply in the oneness of creation that Dr. King referred to when he said, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." ... In early 1965 Vi began attending services at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Cass Avenue, just two blocks from the Wayne State campus. The bulletin board outside the church still reads RELIGION FOR THE MODERN THINKER.

[Rev. James] Reeb, originally ordained a Presbyterian minister, had been re-ordained a Unitarian in 1958. In his application for re-ordination he had written, "I want to be a Unitarian minister because the Church does not prescribe for people what the ultimate outcome of their religious quest must be; rather it attempts to create a fellowship that will strengthen and encourage each member in his desire and determination to live the truth as he sees it.

I used to think I knew what people were talking about when they referred to the Southern Way of Life. I was sure they meant courtesy, colonels, cotillion a, mint juleps, and Scarlett O'Hara types who went with the wind. Wasn't it gone already?... The more I spoke with people... and the more I researched and read, the more I began to understand that the Southern Way of Life was a code for a system built on sexual taboo to maintain white privilege.
The Southern Way of Life was based on the religious, political, and economic belief that racial segregation was essential to the stability of southern society. The organizing principle of the Way was that blacks were genetically inferior to whites and incapable of either bettering themselves or controlling their sexual urges. Therefore it was concluded that racial segregation was a basic requirement of a civilized society.

Alfred Loeb, an engineer from Philadelphia commented, "My feet are awfully sore, but if someone had done something like this march in Munich before World War II maybe six million Jews wouldn't have died.

"We are not in a struggle of black against white," Rosa Parks told the crowd, "but rather wrong against right."

I recalled the irony in Virginia Durr's voice when she said, "They called me a radical! I had the right to vote without having to earn it. All Americans had the right to vote, and black people were Americans. How difficult was that to understand? I was not a radical. Those people who opposed letting the blacks register, they were the radicals."

"If they come for me in the morning, they'll come for you at night." Angela Davis

A Detroit journalist said that Vi was "struck down by the death throes of a vanishing order. A way of life that will soon be utterly gone with the wind just as the pre-Civil War slave owning days in the south are gone."

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written book by a sympathetic author about a little-known casualty of the civil rights movement. Viola comes to life here, and I also learned about other civil rights related deaths that I hadn't known before. Her story deserves to be told!