As Black History Month comes to an end, a Bridgeport author, teacher and civil rights activist is reflecting on the past.

Mary McBride-Lee tells News 12 the civil rights movement that she took part in had a permanent impact on her. Her self-published book, "At The Foot Of Edmund Pettus Bridge On Bloody Sunday" explores that journey.

The elementary school teacher says she wants her students and other children to look toward the future, but also recognize the past.

"I really would like for young people to realize that people made sacrifices for them to be where they are now," McBride Lee says. "I'd like them to appreciate it because I think there's a lot of our young people don't know the suffering, and they don't know the hardship that somebody made on their behalf."

The teacher says she has devoted her life to promoting social progress.

"Some people are trying to take us back. It gets kind of frustrating and a little scary at the same time,” she said. "I think that we've come a long way and we have to keep going. We cannot afford to go back."