The Fifth Little Girl: Honoring Sara Collins Rudolph on International Day of the Girl

By Makeda Scott, FV@W Communications Associate

For this year’s International Day of the Girl, I pay tribute to Sara Collins Rudolph, the forgotten survivor of the Sept. 15th, 1963, bombing of the 16th St. Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. While many are familiar with the tragic event that claimed the lives of four little girls, Sara’s story is not as widely recognized. 

On that fateful day, five girls were in the church basement, preparing for Sunday school, when a bomb exploded, forever changing their lives. Sara Collins Rudolph was the sole survivor of the attack. She and her sister, along with the other three girls, had risen early that morning, filled with excitement for Youth Sunday. The deafening blast not only physically injured Sara but also left her blind in her right eye. The emotional scars ran even deeper as she grappled with the loss of her sister.

Despite the physical and emotional trauma she endured, Sara was left without the support and time needed for recovery. She was rushed to surgery, deprived of rest, and sent back to school just a week after the horrific attack. Her experience reflects the resilience and strength of many girls who face adversity head-on without the resources and community support required for a full recovery.

Sixty years later in 2023, this year should be dedicated to honoring Sara Collins Rudolph as the Year of the Girl. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the need for proper recovery following traumatic events. What could Sara’s life have been like, and how would her recovery have differed if she had been given the time and support she deserved?

Sara Collins Rudolph’s resilience and determination in the face of adversity make her a symbol of strength for girls everywhere. For International Day of the Girl this year, let us remember her story and work toward creating a world where all girls are afforded the time and resources they need to recover from traumatic experiences and build brighter futures.