(music)
>> National political leaders 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.
>> This is the executive committee that runs the party
nationally, and she's the first African American woman.
It's just remarkable.
>> By 1960, the Democratic party is inching its way
towards Civil Rights.
>> The battle for civil rights 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.
>> Televisions are in 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.
>> By 1960 the movement is in full swing, and it's becoming
an increasing problem for those in power and for the nation.
[crowd roars] >> The 1960 presidential
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.
>> Kennedy himself said, "We've got to get a black face
out there."
She was the face of: "We are going for
the African American vote."
>> Northern liberals at the Democratic National
Convention demanded a strong civil rights plank.
>> Kennedy's in a political party that is dominated
by Southern, white Democrats who are segregationists,
and this is the split in the party.
>> --that what you're doing is, in our judgement, making it
practically impossible to carry ten states of the Southland in
the election of November.
>> Senator Spessard Holland, a segregationist from Florida,
warned that taking the party too far towards civil rights
would doom the Democrats' chance at winning the White House.
>> And Democrats, whether you're segregation or not,
you want your party to win the presidency
'cause it's power.
>> Phillips shot back at the Senator and declared,
"Winning isn't nearly so important as doing
the right thing."
>> She surprised a lot of people 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.
>> Two days later the Democratic Party adopted
a platform fully committed to civil rights.
>> I just felt that this was what was due us
and God had seen to it that I was there to do my part.
>> Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do
for your country.
[cheers and applause] >> I think there is something
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.