Martina Davis-Correia

Martina Davis-Correia (1967 - December 1, 2011) was the older sister of Troy Anthony Davis, a cause célèbre in the campaign to abolish capital punishment. Davis-Correia was a steadfast supporter and public organizer on his behalf. She died of breast cancer at the age of 44.[1]

The week before Davis's execution, Correia made an emotional, symbolic gesture in support of of him when she got up from her wheelchair. "I'm here to tell you that I'm going to stand here for my brother today," she said. Correia then stood up on stage with the help of others around her.[2]

The C00 of Amnesty International called Davis-Correia "a powerful example of how one person can make a difference ... she remained brave and defiant to the core of her being, stating her conviction that one day [her brother's] death would be the catalyst for ending the death penalty."[3] the full statement is here.

Davis-Correia was a trained nurse and served in the 1991 Gulf War.[1] To obtain a voice in civic society, she turned to organizations within civic society. These included Georgians for an Alternative to the Death Penalty, The Campaign to End the Death Penalty, on whose national board she served, and Amnesty International,[1] where she chaired the Steering Committee for Amnesty International/USA's Program to Abolish the Death Penalty and where, for 11 years, she served as Amnesty International’s coordinator in Georgia for local death penalty programs.[3]

Awards

References

  1. ^ a b c Mathiowetz, Dianne. "Martina Correia, sister of Troy Davis, presente!". Workers.org. http://www.workers.org/2011/us/martina_correia_1215/. Retrieved 2011-12-10. 
  2. ^ "Troy Davis Case: Martina Davis-Correia, Older Sister And Vocal Defender Of Condemned Brother, Dies Of Cancer At 44". Huffingtonpost.com. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/troy-davis-sister-dies_n_1125869.html. Retrieved 2011-12-10. 
  3. ^ a b View all 6 comments Leave a comment. "Troy Davis' Sister, Martina Davis-Correia, Dies". Newser.com. http://www.newser.com/story/134541/troy-davis-sister-martina-davis-correia-dies.html. Retrieved 2011-12-10. 
  4. ^ a b Constance Cooper. "Martina Davis-Correia, sister of Troy Davis, dies". savannahnow.com. http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2011-12-01/martina-correia-dies?mid=5426#.TuJLH0rXG2w. Retrieved 2011-12-10. 
  5. ^ "Amnesty International Hails Martina Davis Correia as “Hero of the Human Rights Movement” | Amnesty International USA". Amnestyusa.org. 2011-12-02. http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/amnesty-international-hails-martina-davis-correia-as-hero-of-the-human-rights-movement. Retrieved 2011-12-10.