S5E6: Tom Lee’s relatives reflect on 100th anniversary of heroic water rescue

One hundred years ago on May 8, a Black man who could not swim saved 32 white people from drowning in the Mississippi River. 

That heroic act got him a meeting with President Calvin Coolidge and a house in North Memphis. And one of Downtown’s most iconic parks honors his heroism. His name was Tom Lee.

The park was not always welcoming to Black people — even his own descendants. But those striving to keep his story alive, from relatives to park leaders, hope Memphians will be inspired by his willingness to lend a helping hand.

Resources mentioned in this story:

• Tom Lee Park events
• Memphis River Parks Partnership