Nationwide — At 94 years old, Martha Mae Ophelia Moon Tucker finally fulfilled her lifelong dream of wearing a wedding dress. This comes nearly 7 decades after her wedding in which she never had the chance to wear a wedding dress due to racial segregation.
The idea came to life when Tucker’s granddaughter, Angela Strozier, heard her whisper her wish to try on a wedding gown while watching a wedding scene in Coming to America. Inspired, Strozier and the family booked an appointment for Tucker at David’s Bridal.
“When I went into the bridal shop, that dress had my name on it,” she recalled. “Oh, it was so beautiful… I was in heaven.”
Tucker’s family captured the touching moment with photos and videos, showing her in a stunning white floral lace gown with a matching veil.
“I’m getting married!” she said on the video.
Although Tucker didn’t purchase the dress, she was deeply moved by her grandkids’ efforts.
“I looked in the mirror at myself wanting to know who that is,” Tucker said. “Yeah, I was very excited! I felt great! I told ya, it felt just like I was getting married!”
Tucker, who has four children, 11 grandkids, 18 great-grandkids, and one great-great-grandchild, lost her husband in 1975.
Moreover, Tucker tirelessly fought for civil rights in Alabama, registering as a voter and serving as a poll worker in 1963. After 57 years of dedicated service, Martha retired as a chief poll worker in November 2020. The Birmingham City Council and Mayor Randall Woodfin honored her exceptional commitment.
