People, Locations, Episodes

Zelma George, Civic Leader born

Zelma Watson George was born on this date in 1903. She was an African American activist, a delegate to the U.N., an opera singer, speaker, and educator.

Ella Baker, Racial Justice Activist born

Ella Baker was born on this date in 1903. She was an African American social justice activist who was instrumental in founding the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

L. C. Bates, News Publisher born

*L.C. Bates was born on this date in 1904.  He was a Black newspaper publisher and civil rights activist.   Lucious Christopher Bates was born in Liberty, Mississippi, to Laura and Rev. Morris Bates, a farmer, carpenter, and minister.  The Bates family was some of the few Blacks in the area. Due to the position […]

Alfredia Duster, Social Worker born

*Alfreda Duster was born on this date in 1904.  She was a Black social worker, editor, and civic leader.  Alfreda Barnett was born in Chicago, the youngest daughter of civil rights activists Ida B. Wells and Ferdinand L. Barnett. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 1924 with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. She married Benjamin […]

Alberta Williams King, Teacher, and Activist born

*Alberta Williams King was born on this date in 1904. She was a Black educator, instrumentalist, and administrator. Alberta Christine Williams was born in Atlanta, GA. Her parents were Reverend Adam Daniel Williams, preacher of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and Jennie Celeste (Parks) Williams. Williams graduated from high school at the Spelman Seminary and […]

Enolia McMillan, Activist, and Educator born

*Enolia Pettigan McMillan was born on this date in 1904. She was an African American educator, civil rights activist, and community leader.

Hartman Turnbow, Farmer, and Activist born

*Hartman Turnbow was born on this date in 1905.  He was a Black farmer, orator, and activist during the 20th-century American Civil Rights Movement.   He was born in Mileston, Mississippi. His grandparents were former slaves, and he inherited their farm.  Turnbow was married twice and had six children: Jewross and Hartman and daughters Mae Alice, Mae Bell, Mary, and Christine.  He moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he […]

Mother Hale, Humanitarian, and Activist born

*This date marks the birth of Mother Hale in 1905. She was an African American activist for civil and children’s rights and the founder of Hale House.

Rosey Pool, Author and Activist born

*Rosey Pool was born on this date in 1905. She was a white Jewish-Dutch poet and anthologist of African American poetry. Rosa Eva Pool was born and raised in a secular Jewish family in Amsterdam, Sweden. In the 1920s, she participated in Dutch Popular Front youth movements, such as the socialist Arbeiders Jeugd Centrale (AJC) and […]

The Texas Association of Women’s Clubs is Formed

*The Texas Association of Women’s Clubs (TAWC) is celebrated on this date in 1905. They are an umbrella organization of African American women’s clubs in Texas. It was first organized as the Texas Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. The group’s purpose was to allow clubs to work together to improve the social and moral life […]

Myles Horton, Socialist born

*Myles Horton was born on this date in 1905.  He was a white-American educator, socialist, and administrator.  Myles Falls Horton was born in 1905 in Savannah, Tennessee, to a poor family. He had two brothers, Daniel and Demas, and one sister, Elsie Pearl. He grew up near Savannah; his parents were Elsie Falls Horton and Perry Horton, former schoolteachers and Presbyterians. […]

The Niagara Movement is Founded

This date marks the founding of the Niagara Movement, the first significant Black organized protest movement of the 20th century in America.

It also represented the attempt of a small yet articulate group of radicals to challenge the then dominant ideals of Booker T. Washington. At the turn of the century there were divisions in African American political life: those who believed in accommodation, led by Booker T. Washington; and the more militant group, led by W.E.B. Du Bois and William M. Trotter.

John C. Robinson, Aviator born

*John Robinson was born on this date in 1905.  He was a Black aviator and activist.  John Charles Robinson was born in Carrabelle, Florida, and spent his early years in Gulfport, Mississippi. His father died when he was a baby, leaving him and his four-year-old sister, Bertha, with their mother, Celeste Robinson, who married Charles Cobb. Robinson was inspired by flight at an […]

I. Myrtle Carden, Community Activist born

 *The birth of I. Myrtle Carden is celebrated on this date in 1905. She was a Black social worker and administrator.  I. Myrtle Carden was born in Philadelphia, PA., and graduated from Temple University and the Pennsylvania School of Social Work. Soon after, she worked at the Sharpe St. Settlement House in Baltimore. In 1929, […]

Nellie Stone Johnson, Businesswoman, and Union Activist born

*Nellie Stone Johnson was born on this date in 1905. She was an African American activist, administrator and businesswoman.