Civil Rights Movement Significant Leaders ©2012, TESCCC U.S. History Unit 10, Lesson 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ( ) One of several African-Americans concerned with reforming American society and gaining equal rights by using civil disobedience or nonviolent action. King assisted in coordinating the bus boycott which gained national and international attention. He gained visibility as a black leader as well as experience in organization and leadership. In 1957 he was instrumental in organizing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a consortium of churches and civic groups. The SCLC supported sit-ins, boycotts, and protest marches in Birmingham, Alabama, beginning in In August, during the March on Washington in support of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, King set aside his prepared speech and rallied the 250,000 in attendance with “I have a dream today!” He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. ©2012, TESCCC

César Chávez ( ) César Chávez was a migrant farm worker who sought to improve the lives of other migrant workers. He served as national director of the Community Service Organization before resigning in 1962 to focus on organizing a union for farm workers. He called for non-violent struggles for justice and used strikes, boycotts and other forms of civil disobedience to improve conditions for migrant workers. Eventually strikes and boycotts caused 26 grape growers in California to recognize the United Farm Workers union in 1970 but growers continued to break contracts. Chávez provided leadership for 30 years, protesting violence and urging cooperation between growers and workers. The union continues to protect the rights of migrant laborers from unfair treatment on the part of employers. ©2012, TESCCC

American Indian Movement o Co-founder Dennis Banks AIM Goals included: o A voice in Congress o Compensation for treaty violations o Protect religious freedom and cultural integrity o Create a federal agency that is fair and representative of their needs 1971: Protest in Washington D.C. (Trail of Broken Treaties) Today, there is an improved American perception of American Indians. There are more opportunities for education and job training. American Indian cultures continue to be preserved and traditions maintained. ©2012, TESCCC

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks ( ) Born in Tuskegee, Alabama She and her husband were both active members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). During a time when public transportation was legally segregated, she was arrested on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. Her actions prompted black church and business leaders to conduct a boycott of the Montgomery bus company, which began December 5, On December 21 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation on city buses was unconstitutional. ©2012, TESCCC

Hector P. Garcia Mexican American physician and civil rights advocate, Dr. Garcia organized the American G.I. Forum (1948). The organization was initially to improve veteran benefits and enhance medical needs. The organization expanded to address educational and vocational training, housing, public education, poll taxes, voter registration, hospitalization and employment. ©2012, TESCCC

Betty Friedan Writer, journalist and activist Co-founder of NOW (National Organization of Women) in 1966 Wrote: The Feminine Mystique Inspired women to leave traditional roles and seek new opportunities in education, the workplace and leadership. ©2012, TESCCC

George Wallace Governor of Alabama Pro-Segregation policies during the 1960s Served as governor for three terms “I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever. “ - George Wallace from his first inaugural address in In 1982 he offered a public apology for his stance on segregation. ©2012, TESCCC

Orval Faubus Governor of Arkansas While he was governor there was a federal order to stop racial segregation. (1957) Best known for ordering the Arkansas National Guard to stop African American students from entering Little Rock Central High School President Eisenhower sent U.S. troops to enforce integration. ©2012, TESCCC

Lester Maddox Governor of Georgia Segregationist As the owner of a restaurant (Pickrick Cafeteria), he refused to serve African Americans. He challenged the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by refusing to desegregate. Maddox gained much popularity through his actions and decided to run for governor of Georgia. ©2012, TESCCC

Thurgood Marshall Distinguished lawyer Argued the case (Brown v. Board of Education) before the U.S. Supreme Court and won Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson and served from (1967 to 1991) He was the first African-American to serve in the U.S. Supreme Court. ©2012, TESCCC

Eleanor Roosevelt As First Lady, she actively supported programs that helped the youth and the poor. She was an advocate for civil rights. Appointed by President Truman as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and became the first chairperson of the preliminary United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Spokesperson for women at the international level. ©2012, TESCCC

Dolores Huerta Civil Rights activist Activist for farmworkers’ rights Co-founder of the UFW (United Farm Workers Union) Directed the national grape boycott which led to collective bargaining rights of workers. She continues to help improve the lives of women, workers and immigrants. ©2012, TESCCC