March 5, 1945: Lena Baker, a maid, was executed for murder by the State of Georgia in 1945 for killing her employer, Ernest Knight, in 1944. At her trial she said that he had imprisoned and threatened to shoot her should she try to leave. She took his gun and shot him. Baker was the only woman to be executed by electrocution in Georgia. On entering the execution chamber, Baker sat in the electric chair and said: "What I done, I did in self-defense, or I would have been killed myself. Where I was I could not overcome it. God has forgiven me. I have nothing against anyone. I picked cotton for Mr. Pritchett, and he has been good to me. I am ready to go. I am one in the number. I am ready to meet my God. I have a very strong conscience." In 2005 Baker was granted a full and unconditional pardon by the State of Georgia, 60 years after her execution. The movie The Lena Baker Story (2008) is about her life. #lenabaker #makebeingblackinamericalegal #standyourground #themorethingschange #americatheugly #blackhidstory #thingstheydontteachyou https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Wg9xtHgJ0/?igshid=186fw3ivxp460