Mural Memorial Dedication
In memory of Nan Freeman, Temple member, sister of Liz Freeman

Five decades ago, striking sugar workers at Talisman Sugar Co. in central Florida asked for volunteers
to stand with them in their nonviolent struggle against abuse and oppression. Among those
responding to their call was a young Jewish woman, Nan Freeman, 18 and a student at New College
of Florida in Sarasota. Already a veteran student activist, Nan stood near the plant gate at 3:15 a.m.
on January 25, 1972, trying to leaflet and talk with strikebreaking truck drivers. A double trailer truck
carrying 70,000 pounds of struck sugar cane sped through, knocking her into a guard rail and crushing
her to death.

She became the first of five United Farm Workers martyrs, one woman and four men killed during
strikes. “To some [Nan Freeman] is a young girl who lost her life in a tragic accident,” Cesar Chavez
said. “To us she is a sister who picketed with farm workers in the middle of the night because of her
love for justice. She is a young woman who fulfilled the commandments by loving her neighbors even
to the point of sacrificing her own life.”

A moving memorial—beautiful twin outdoor murals celebrating Nan Freeman’s selfless activism—is
being dedicated on Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m. in Koski Plaza by the ACE building breezeway near the
New College Library. You are invited. Let us ensure Nan’s sacrifice is not forgotten and that her
memory remains a blessing.