Birmingham Church Bombing Survivor To Speak at Gwinnett Library

A survivor of the 1963 church bombing in Birmingham, Ala., will discuss her situation and her new book on the subject Thursday in Suwanee.

Carolyn Maull McKinstry, a Birmingham native, will speak at the as part of the library's Meet The Authors series. The event will be at 6 p.m.

Her new book is titled "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement."

According to a GCPL news release, McKinstry was present when Klan members bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist church, killing four of her young friends.  The bombing, which shook the community as well as the nation, was a defining experience for McKinstry, and began her life as a civil rights activist.

The book offers a rare, personal account of the civil rights movement as it progressed both nationwide and within her life, the release said.

McKinstry has told her story on CNN, MSNBC, The Oprah Winfrey Show and elsewhere. She also has been a consultant on movies and documentaries.

The Suwanee event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information, call (770) 978-5154 or visit www.gwinnettpl.org.