1. Civil Rights Movement Significant Leaders
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U.S. History Unit 10, Lesson 1
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2. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ( ). Was one of several African-Americans concerned with reforming American society and gaining equal rights by using civil disobedience or nonviolent action.
He earned his Ph.D. from the School of Theology at Boston University. 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 1963.
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.
Short term impact – Unified the African American community; Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965
Long Term Impact – Inspired other minorities protest movements; non-violent protest had a global impact; federal laws are still in place and continue to affect current and future generations.
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3. César Chávez
( ) César Chávez was a migrant farm worker who sought to improve the lives of other migrant workers.
His focus was on organizing a union for farm workers. He was instrumental in organizing events and organizations, primarily the United Farm Workers Union and provided leadership for it for 30 years.
Short Term Impact - He organized migrant workers and led non-violent struggles for justice and used strikes, boycotts and other forms of civil disobedience to improve conditions for migrant workers.
Long Term Impact – The union continues to protect the rights of migrant workers and inspired other Latinos to become advocates for Latino rights.
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4. Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks ( )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, 1956.
Short Term Impact – Led peaceful protest and brought national attention to her cause. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation on city buses was unconstitutional.
Long Term Impact – Other laws followed to bring equality to African Americans and she inspired many women.
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5. Hector P. Garcia
Mexican American physician, WWII veteran and civil rights advocate.
Dr. Garcia organized the American G.I. Forum (1948) which allowed Latino membership.
The organization improved veteran benefits and medical needs. The organization became and advocate for educational and vocational training, housing, public education, poll taxes, voter registration, hospitalization and employment.
Short Term Impact- Organized movement to help Latino veterans after WWII
Long Term Impact – Latinos continue to benefit from the American G.I. Forum
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6. Betty Friedan Writer, journalist and activist for Women’s Rights
Co-founder of NOW (National Organization of Women) in 1966, Wrote: The Feminine Mystique which inspired women to leave traditional roles and seek new opportunities in education, the workplace, and leadership.
Short Term Impact – Major push for equal rights legislation and movement to amend the U.S. Constitution (Equal Rights Amendment).
Long Term Impact – Part of the movement led to legislation like Title IX.
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7. George Wallace
Governor of Alabama, Pro-Segregation policies during the 1960s, Served as governor for three terms
Against policies that integrated African Americans into white public schools. Against the Civil Rights Movement.
Short Term Impact- Advocate for the defeat of legislation that would integrate African Americans; stood in front of elementary schools to keep black students from entering.
Long Term Impact - In 1982 he offered a public apology for his stance on segregation.
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8. Orval Faubus
Governor of Arkansas, for Segregation of African Americans
(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.
Short Term Impact – Advocate for the defeat of legislation that would integrate African Americans into all white public schools
Long Term Impact – The Civil Rights Movement and federal laws that supported the minority vote prompted a realignment of political parties in the country.
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9. Lester Maddox
Governor of Georgia, For segregation of African Americans
As the owner of a restaurant (Pickrick Cafeteria), he refused to serve African Americans. Against the integrations of African Americans with whites, he challenged the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by refusing to desegregate.
Short Term Impact – Advocate for the defeat of legislation that would integrate African Americans with whites.
Long Term Impact – The Civil Rights Movement and federal laws that supported the minority vote and prompted a realignment of political parties in the country.
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10. Thurgood Marshall
Distinguished African American lawyer. Argued the case of 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 He was the first African-American to serve in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Short Term Impact – The ruling on Brown v. Board of Education made segregation unconstitutional.
Long Term Impact – As a U.S. Supreme Court justice, his decisions on multiple cases continue to affect contemporary America
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11. Eleanor Roosevelt
She was an advocate for women’s rights prior to becoming fist lady and continued to be an advocate throughout her life.
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.
Short Term Impact – She was an advocate for women’s rights nationally and internationally.
Long Term Impact – She continues to be a role model for many.
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12. Dolores Huerta
Mexican American Civil Rights activist, Activist for farmworkers’ rights, organized labor union improved conditions for migrant workers , led strikes and boycotts affecting grape growers in California
She continues to help improve the lives of women, workers and immigrants.
Short Term Impact – She organized migrant workers and led peaceful protests through boycotts; Co-founder of the UFW (United Farm Workers Union); brought national attention to the rights of Mexican Americans
Long Term Impact – She remains an activist for immigrants, migrants, women’s rights and other causes
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