A Monument of Change: Vivian Sims’ Tribute to Black Soldiers in the Klan’s Birthplace

Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick
·4 min read

Vivian Lee Battle Sims, a 96-year-old retired educator, has redefined her hometown of Pulaski, Tennessee, once known as the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan. Through her vision and personal investment, Sims created Resurrection of Valor, a monument that honors the United States Colored Troops (USCT) who fought for the Union during the Civil War. This story, while extraordinary, is also a deeply personal journey for Sims—one that’s tied to her great-great-grandfather’s legacy as a USCT soldier, and to her family connection with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Sitting with Ms. Sims, Ian and I discovered that she is also a distant cousin of his, a bond we explored by sifting through family photos, finding the roots of advocacy that have defined her life and mission.

Vivian Sims first learned about the US Colored Troops back in the 80s during a Civil War reenactment in Pulaski, TN, a town that was originally known as the birthplace of the KKK. In 2023, a monument commemorating the USCT was erected, an effort spearheaded by Sims.
Vivian Sims first learned about the US Colored Troops back in the 80s during a Civil War reenactment in Pulaski, TN, a town that was originally known as the birthplace of the KKK. In 2023, a monument commemorating the USCT was erected, an effort spearheaded by Sims.

Discovering the Untold Story

For Ms. Sims, the path to creating the Resurrection of Valor began in her eighties when she attended a Civil War reenactment in Pulaski and saw Black men dressed in Union uniforms as members of the USCT. “I was shocked,” she said. “I couldn’t believe I had lived this long without hearing about them.” Learning about the US Colored Troops was a revelation, especially when she discovered that her great-great-grandfather had served with the USCT and used his mustering-out pay to build an AME church in Pulaski.

All of us looking at Battle family photos.
All of us looking at Battle family photos.

“If this history belongs to me, then it belongs to the young folks here, too,” she said. From that moment, she felt compelled to create something that would honor these soldiers, especially in a town with Pulaski’s troubled history.

Changing Pulaski’s Narrative

Proposing a statue honoring Black soldiers in Pulaski—a town still carrying echoes of the Klan’s founding—was bold. But Ms. Sims was undeterred. “If you stand up for what’s right, you’d be surprised how many people will stand with you,” she shared. Her determination won over the town council and the current mayor, a former student of hers who wholeheartedly supported her vision.

Working with a Black female sculptor, Sims designed a statue that wasn’t about war but about legacy and pride. The sculpture shows a USCT soldier with his hand resting on the shoulder of a young Black boy, a powerful symbol of mentorship and courage. “I wanted it to be about pride, about passing on courage,” she explained. She funded the $82,000 project herself, determined to see her vision realized. “I thought, I’m in my 90s now, and I want to see this happen,” she said.

The Resurrection of Valor statue in Cave Springs Park, Pulaski, Tennessee, depicts a US Colored Troops soldier reaching down to a young Black boy, symbolizing a passing of courage and strength across generations. The statue bears the inscription: “You are the descendant of brave warriors who fought and died for your freedom. God created you free and equal to all Americans.”

A New Identity for Pulaski

Since its unveiling, the Resurrection of Valor has altered how people see Pulaski. During our visit, we saw locals showing off the monument to visitors, proud of the new narrative it has brought to the town. “They’re not calling Pulaski the birthplace of the Klan anymore,” Sims observed. “Now, it’s a town that honors Black soldiers.”

Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick with cousin Vivian Sims at the Monument.
Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick with cousin Vivian Sims at the Monument.

This shift is particularly meaningful to young Black boys in the community, who see a legacy reflected in the statue. “They can look at that statue and see themselves,” Sims said. Her influence as an educator is evident; decades earlier, she founded a mentorship program for young Black boys, pairing them with local role models. The town’s current mayor, once her student, is one of many who benefited from her guidance.

A Family and Community Legacy

Looking through family photos, we also uncovered Sims’ connection to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, a family legacy of activism that extends across generations. “Our family has always believed in standing up,” Sims said, “and that’s what I hope this statue inspires.” Her determination to honor Black contributions to history is something she has shared with her cousin and family.

“I wanted it to be something people remember,” Sims said of the statue. “Something that would make people stop and think.” The Resurrection of Valor now stands as both a tribute to history and a promise to future generations. It has reshaped Pulaski, offering a new sense of pride and a fuller story of the town’s legacy.

Plaque about the USCT.
Plaque about the USCT.

Before we parted, Ms. Sims offered a final thought. “If you stand up for what’s right, you’ll find people stand with you.” In Pulaski, that truth now shines through a monument that speaks of courage, honor, and one woman’s resolve to change her world.

Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick are contributors to DETOUR and the founders of World Footprints, a social impact travel storytelling content hub.

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