JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Two civil rights icons in the state were honored Thursday evening in downtown Jackson.
The Mississippi Center for Justice recognized Myrlie Evers-Williams and former Governor William Winter as champions of justice.
More than six hundred people attended the 9th annual event at the Jackson Convention Complex.
The civil rights advocates encouraged attendees to give back and fight injustice in the state.
Winter thanked Evers-Williams for her civil rights efforts and called her a world treasure.
The Mississippi Center for Justice understands its mission of equality has many strides to make in the state.
"We actually cut the ribbon on our first office on the 40th anniversary of the slaying of Medgar Evers and we committed ourselves that day to take the accomplishments, that were mentioned tonight, of the civil rights movement but recognize that the job was not yet done," said President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice Martha Bergmark.
Sponsorships for the event helped raise $360,000 for the Center for Justice.
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