“For me the opera is about will power. Fannie had very limited education: she started picking cotton at the tender age of six. Despite this, plus the brutal treatment inflicted upon her, she managed to make a big difference in the politics of this country,” Thompson told OperaWire. “Martin Luther King Jr. and Fannie are polar opposites in some ways, but they shared a common vision of equality and human rights, backed up by tremendous courage. They achieved significant results, attacking the problems from different directions. She has been an ‘unsung hero’ for many years. People know her famous quote” I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired,” without knowing her story and legacy. Hopefully, this opera will help to raise awareness of her contribution to American society.”