African American civil rights leader Zelma Wyche was a warrior for his people. He confronted the blatant racism and discrimination plaguing blacks in Madison Parish with firm conviction, extreme diligence, and tremendous courage, and he greatly effected change benefiting blacks locally and nationwide. This thesis examines the life of civil rights leader Zelma Wyche and his fight for black civil rights in Madison Parish. It entails his struggle to help blacks secure the right to vote and to work in all white facilities. It reveals how Wyche sought public office in Madison Parish and agitated for change.

Those efforts furthered his cause for black rights. Wyche helped end the harassment of blacks by local police and paved the way for blacks to gain equal representation on school boards, city councils, and police juries. It also examines his final years outside the political arena.

The research includes data gathered from newspaper articles, books, and personal interviews.