"She knew how to do what she needed to do" for the civil-rights movement, Gadsden added.

The event was co-sponsored by the Kennedy School of Government Black Student Caucus and the Journal of African American Public Policy.

Cheryl L. Bell, co-chair of the caucus, said Harper Hines was chosen to speak over "all the big names" who teach at Harvard.

"[Harper Hines has] one foot in glory and one foot on the ground," Bell said.

Kennedy School student Ralph W. Edwards, who had Harper Hines as a teacher in high school, was ultimately responsible for bringing the activist to Harvard.

Edwards said Harper Hines provided personal "snapshots" into the past, in contrast with the "big picture" depicted in many history books today