By Chelsea Vance | The Selma Times-Journal

Sheyann Webb-Christburg, known as the youngest Foot Soldier to participate in the Bloody Sunday march, will be among those to watch President Barack Obama give his last State of the Union address tonight.

Webb-Christburg will attend the speech at the U.S. Capitol as guest of Congresswoman Terri Sewell, who is a native of Selma.

Christburg thanked Sewell for inviting her to witness the historic moment.

“I feel very grateful to have the opportunity to have been invited. Many times, as I have watched the State of the Union Address over the years, I hoped that someday I could get the opportunity to actually be there. So, now my dreams have come true,” Webb-Christburg said

Sewell believes that Webb-Christburg`s presence at the State of the Union should act as a reminder of the importance of voting.

“The State of Union falls on ‘Restoration Tuesday,’ and I believe Sheyann Webb-Christburg is the embodiment of the struggle for voter equality in America,” Sewell said. “My hope is that her presence at the President’s address will remind us of the modern day fight for ensuring that every American citizen has access to the ballot box.”

Every Tuesday while in session, Democrats in Congress will speak about the importance of voting rights and spotlight stories of modern-day barriers to voting under the theme of “Restoration Tuesday.”

“It is so important for our young people to be educated on the price that was paid during the civil rights movement for African-Americans to gain their right to vote,” Webb-Christburg said. “Recent experiences have shown us that disenfranchisement still poses a threat on our democracy. The blood, sweat and tears of the 60s were so horrific, and it saddens me that we are still dealing with the issue of voting 50 years later.”

Webb-Christburg expects to use the experience this week in her travels around the country speaking to students about her story and the importance of voting.

“It will help me to continue to develop and launch a message, particularly to young people, as I continue on my journey speaking across the country,” Webb-Christburg said.