Ida B. Wells fled Memphis due to racism. Now she has a street named after her.

A section of Fourth Street in Downtown Memphis Monday morning was officially renamed in honor of Ida B. Wells, the pioneering civil rights activist and journalist.

About 60 people gathered at the ceremony held on the corner of Fourth and Beale Street. It’s the latest Memphis recognition for Wells, who famously fought against racism, segregation and lynchings.

The joyous ceremony occurred after the Memphis City Council unanimously voted on Jan. 18 to rename Fourth Street between E.H. Crump Boulevard and Union Avenue as Ida B. Wells Street.

Memphis City Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas, who sponsored the resolution, offered her gratitude at the ceremony.

“A legacy that spotlights injustices done to the most helpless of us, a legacy that promotes what’s right and how we all can be part of promoting that,” Easter-Thomas said on Wells’ legacy.  

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Ida B. Wells Statue:Ida B. Wells statue unveiled in Downtown Memphis

In 1892, three friends of Wells’, grocery store owners in South Memphis, were lynched. Wells, who also taught school, began to document lynchings in the United States.

In retaliation, the white power structure in Memphis, destroyed her Memphis Free Speech and Headlight office and forced her to relocate, ultimately to Chicago. Wells died at age 68 in 1931.

Now, Ida B. Wells Street in Memphis runs past her new bronze statue and First Baptist Church, the site of her newspaper.

Michelle Duster, Wells’ great-granddaughter, said she hopes in addition to her grandmother’s latest honors, her legacy leads to a greater fight for equity and equality for everyone.  

“That her legacy will inspire us to fight to make sure that every child has access to a quality education,” Duster said. “That all people have the same access to fair and equal housing. That all people live in neighborhoods that are safe. That all people have access to healthy food, clean water, fresh air and health care that is affordable, preventive and treats every patient with respect.”

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Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris were announced to speak at Monday's ceremony, but neither attended. There were eight Memphis city councilmembers who attended the street dedication ceremony.

Omer Yusuf covers the Ford project in Haywood County, residential real estate, tourism and banking for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached via email Omer.Yusuf@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @OmerAYusuf.