Friday marks Olimatta Taal’s first anniversary as interim executive director of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute and Friday also marks Taal’s last day as interim director.

Taal’s contract with the museum expired and will not be renewed by the NVRMI board. Though she doesn’t know who her replacement will be, Taal said she hopes the person will be well qualified.

“I hope the next person will be better than me,” Taal said. “I hope he or she will help raise money, create a bridge for the community to get involved and coordinate programs and events. This museum belongs to the community and the community should have a say.”

Since coming to the museum, the 34-year-old Georgia State University graduate described her experience as turbulent.

“It’s been a struggle for me,” Taal said. “I was crucified, sabotaged and controlled trying to sustain the ideas of persons who founded this museum, the visionaries, and it’s unfortunate. My heart has been broken into pieces and it’s painful. But, it is what it is.”

Carolyn Gaines-Varner, co-chairperson for the board and lawyer for Legal Services Alabama, said she hasn’t seen the struggle Taal mentioned and insists Taal knew her contract was set and her employment was only temporary.

“Oli came during a cycle where we needed leadership,” Varner said. “She was supposed to stay for a three-month period, but we extended her stay for nine months beyond Jubilee. We wish her the best and thank her for her leadership.”

Taal makes no apologies for her boldness and strong leadership qualities. Taal said she is thankful for the opportunity to have served her community.

“I’ve done what I could do and I bow out gracefully,” Taal said. “I can sleep at night knowing I’ve done what was right. I’m a child of the movement and accountable to it.”

Taal oversaw a $450,000 project-based grant to build the museum’s archives, digitize historical documents and film and create national museum-standard exhibits, which Taal said was not completed beforehand. Taal said the museum is still desperate for funds.

“That money can’t be used for paying utility bills and that’s why we’re trying to raise money for overhead costs and keep it running,” Taal said. “We really need help.”

Taal has many projects for the future, one of which is travelling to Senegal in the summer to raise funds for impoverished children. However, Taal said she is not yet finished with Selma.

“My work here is only beginning,” Taal said. “I’d like to think I’ve added to the museum and I hope the next person who comes in will not allow all the hard work we’ve put into it to go to waste. There must be growth.”

Varner said the search for Taal’s replacement is on going.

“We’re doing a national search through the internet and museum organizations,” Varner said. “We’re hoping by this summer we can bring in someone with new ideas, new energy and who will be as productive as Oli has been.”