Congress on Tuesday bestowed its highest civilian honor on the four African-American girls killed in a 1963 church bombing in Birmingham , Alabama . Addie Mae Collins , Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley , all 14 , and Denise McNair , 11 , were killed during Sunday services on September 15 , 1963 , at 16th Street Baptist Church . Their senseless deaths `` awakened the slumbering consciousness of America and galvanized the civil rights movement , '' Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell said at the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol . `` Fifty years later , we finally honor their life and legacy . Justice delayed but not denied , '' Sewell said . At the ceremony , House Speaker John Boehner recalled details of the girls ' lives . Addie Mae went door-to-door after school selling aprons and potholders her mother made . Denise put on skits in the garage to raise money for muscular dystrophy research . Carole made sure her chores were done so she could go to dance class on Saturdays , while Cynthia excelled in math and band . `` Birmingham had to go through hell but found its way back and pushed itself forward and pushed the whole country forward as well , '' Boehner said . `` This is one of the true American stories . '' Three former Ku Klux Klan members were convicted in the church bombing , which left at least 14 other people injured . President Barack Obama signed legislation granting the posthumous honor in May .
The girls receive Congressional Gold Medals posthumously . They were killed 50 years ago in Birmingham , Alabama . Alabama congresswoman : `` Justice delayed but not denied ''