"(music)" "Nationalpoliticalleaders began to notice" "Phillips' talents." "In 1958, she was elected to the Democratic National Committee." "No black woman had ever served on the committee before." "Thisistheexecutive committee that runs the party nationally, and she's the first African American woman." "It's just remarkable." "By1960,theDemocratic party is inching its way towards Civil Rights." "Thebattleforcivilrights was becoming a national focus." "Earlier that year, college students had staged sit-ins to desegregate lunch counters." "Americans watched as the activists were beaten and arrested." "Televisionsarein almost every American home." "We start to see people sitting at a lunch counter and just asking to be served." "We weren't supposed to be like that." "By1960themovementisin  full swing, and it's becoming an increasing problem for those in power and for the nation." "[crowd roars] The1960presidential election was underway." "Phillips went to Los Angeles for the Democratic" "National Convention, where the party was to nominate" "Massachusetts senator, John F. Kennedy as its candidate." "Kennedyhimselfsaid, "We've got to get a black face out there."" "She was the face of:" ""We are going for the African American vote."" "Northernliberalsat  the Democratic National" "Convention demanded a strong civil rights plank." "Kennedy'sinapolitical party that is dominated by Southern, white Democrats who are segregationists, and this is the split in the party." "thatwhatyou'redoingis, in our judgement, making it practically impossible to carry ten states of the Southland in the election of November." "SenatorSpessardHolland, a segregationist from Florida, warned that taking the party too far towards civil rights would doom the Democrats' chance at winning the White House." "AndDemocrats,whether you're segregation or not, you want your party to win the presidency 'cause it's power." "Phillipsshotbackat the Senator and declared," ""Winning isn't nearly so important as doing the right thing."" "Shesurprisedalot ofpeople that made some people step back and go, whoa!" "That tiny little woman just said that?" "She just did that?" "Yes, she did." "Yes, you betcha." "Twodayslater the Democratic Party adopted a platform fully committed to civil rights." "Ijustfeltthatthis  was what was due us and God had seen to it that I was there to do my part." "Asknotwhatyourcountrycan do for you, ask what you can do for your country." "[cheers and applause] Ithinkthereissomething in my mom that was perfect for her time." "Isn't it what they say is true, that it's the times that make that person?" "Just the right personality for the moment."