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Phil Ochs
Civil Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1940 - 1976
American folk singer Phil Ochs is best remembered for the protest songs he wrote in the 1960's on war and civil rights.
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(1940-1976)
Civil Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Odetta
Civil Rights Activist, Songwriter, Singer / 1930 - 2008
Folk singer Odetta’s music has been called the soundtrack of the Civil Rights movement. Her work inspired musicians from Bob Dylan to Joan Baez.
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(1930-2008)
Civil Rights Activist, Songwriter, Singer
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Mary White Ovington
Children's Activist, Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Journalist / 1865 - 1951
Mary White Ovington was a civil rights activist and one of the white reformers who helped found the NAACP.
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(1865-1951)
Children's Activist, Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Journalist
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Robert E. Park
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Sociologist / 1864 - 1944
Robert E. Park was an American sociologist most interested in urban issues and the question of assimilation as it pertained to immigrants in the United States.
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(1864-1944)
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Sociologist
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Dorothy Parker
Civil Rights Activist, Journalist, Poet / 1893 - 1967
Dorothy Parker was the sharpest wit of the Algonquin Round Table, as well as a master of short fiction and a blacklisted screenwriter.
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(1893-1967)
Civil Rights Activist, Journalist, Poet
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Wendell Phillips
Civil Rights Activist / 1811 - 1884
Wendell Phillips was a Boston lawyer who gave up his practice to devote his life to fighting for the abolition of slavery.
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(1811-1884)
Civil Rights Activist
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Pinckney Pinchback
Civil Rights Activist, Governor, U.S. Representative, U.S. Governor / 1837 - 1921
Pinckey (P.B.S.) Pinchback is best known as the first person of African American descent to become governor of a U.S. state.
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(1837-1921)
Civil Rights Activist, Governor, U.S. Representative, U.S. Governor
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Homer Plessy
Civil Rights Activist / 1862 - 1925
Homer Plessy is best known as the plaintiff in Plessy v. Ferguson, a landmark court case challenging southern-based segregation.
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(1862-1925)
Civil Rights Activist
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Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Civil Rights Activist, U.S. Representative, Pastor / 1908 - 1972
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was a 20th century clergyman and U.S. representative who was a major force in establishing civil rights for African Americans.
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(1908-1972)
Civil Rights Activist, U.S. Representative, Pastor
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A. Philip Randolph
Civil Rights Activist / 1889 - 1979
A. Philip Randolph was a labor leader and social activist who fought for the rights of African-American laborers, including better wages and working conditions.
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(1889-1979)
Civil Rights Activist
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Alonzo J. Ransier
Civil Rights Activist, Governor, U.S. Representative / 1834 - 1882
Alonzo J. Ransier was an African-American politician from South Carolina served during post-Civil War Reconstruction.
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(1834-1882)
Civil Rights Activist, Governor, U.S. Representative
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James T. Rapier
Civil Rights Activist, U.S. Representative, Editor / 1837 - 1883
James T. Rapier served in Congress as a U.S. Representative from Alabama. He was one of only three black congressmen during Reconstruction and helped to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1875.
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(1837-1883)
Civil Rights Activist, U.S. Representative, Editor
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Charlotte E. Ray
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Lawyer / 1850 - 1911
Charlotte E. Ray was the first female African-American lawyer in the United States.
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(1850-1911)
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Lawyer
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Bernice Johnson Reagon
Civil Rights Activist, Songwriter, Singer / 1942 -
Musician and historian Bernice Johnson Reagon was a civil rights activist known for her political songs.
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(1942-)
Civil Rights Activist, Songwriter, Singer
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Branch Rickey
Civil Rights Activist, Business Leader / 1881 - 1965
Branch Rickey was an innovative baseball executive known for his groundbreaking 1945 decision to bring Jackie Robinson into the major leagues, thereby breaking the color barrier.
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(1881-1965)
Civil Rights Activist, Business Leader
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Faith Ringgold
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Painter, Author / 1930 -
Faith Ringgold is an American artist and author who became famous for innovative, quilted narrations like Tar Beach that communicate her political beliefs.
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(1930-)
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Painter, Author
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Paul Robeson
Civil Rights Activist, Actor, Football Player, Lawyer, Singer / 1898 - 1976
Paul Robeson was an acclaimed 20th century performer known for productions like The Emperor Jones and Othello. He was also an international activist.
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(1898-1976)
Civil Rights Activist, Actor, Football Player, Lawyer, Singer
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Rosa Parks
Civil Rights Activist / 1913 - 2005
Civil rights activist Rosa Parks refused to surrender her bus seat to a white passenger, spurring the Montgomery boycott and other efforts to end segregation.
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(1913-2005)
Civil Rights Activist
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Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist / 1842 - 1924
Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin was an American community leader and women's rights activist who focused particularly on issues affecting African-American women.
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(1842-1924)
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist
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Bayard Rustin
Civil Rights Activist / 1912 - 1987
Bayard Rustin was a civil rights organizer and activist, best known for his work as adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1950s and '60s.
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(1912-1987)
Civil Rights Activist
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Augusta Savage
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Sculptor / 1892 - 1962
Augusta Savage is remembered as an artist, activist, and arts educator, serving as an inspiration to the many that she taught, helped, and encouraged.
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(1892-1962)
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Sculptor
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Dred Scott
Civil Rights Activist / 1795 - 1858
Dred Scott was a slave and social activist who served several masters before suing for his freedom. His case made it to the Supreme Court (Dred Scott v. Sandford) prior to the American Civil War.
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(1795-1858)
Civil Rights Activist
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Bobby Seale
Civil Rights Activist / 1936 -
Bobby Seale is an African American political activist and cofounder and national chairman of the Black Panther Party.
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(1936-)
Civil Rights Activist
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Pete Seeger
Children's Activist, Civil Rights Activist, Environmental Activist, Anti-War Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1919 -
American folk singer Pete Seeger is an iconic figure in the mid-20th century, and is best known for his contributions to the American folk music revival.
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(1919-)
Children's Activist, Civil Rights Activist, Environmental Activist, Anti-War Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Betty Shabazz
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Nurse / 1934 - 1997
Betty Shabazz is best known as the wife of African-American nationalist leader Malcolm X, who was assassinated in New York City in 1965.
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(1934-1997)
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Nurse
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Al Sharpton
Civil Rights Activist, Political Leader, Pastor / 1954 -
Al Sharpton is an outspoken and sometimes controversial political activist in the fight against racial prejudice and injustice.
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(1954-)
Civil Rights Activist, Political Leader, Pastor
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Nina Simone
Civil Rights Activist, Pianist, Singer, Journalist / 1933 - 2003
Nina Simone sang a mix of jazz, blues and folk music in the 1950s and '60s. A civil rights activist, she wrote songs promoting the Civil Rights Movement.
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(1933-2003)
Civil Rights Activist, Pianist, Singer, Journalist
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Peter Singer
Philosopher, Animal Rights Activist, Children's Activist, Civil Rights Activist, Environmental Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Academic Author / 1946 -
Peter Singer is an Australian philosopher whose work in applied ethics has led to controversial views on abortion, animal liberation and infanticide.
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(1946-)
Philosopher, Animal Rights Activist, Children's Activist, Civil Rights Activist, Environmental Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Academic Author
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Edwin Stanton
Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, Government Official / 1814 - 1869
Edwin Stanton served as secretary of war under President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. He later served under President Andrew Johnson.
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(1814-1869)
Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, Government Official
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Mavis Staples
Civil Rights Activist, Singer / 1939 -
Mavis Staples is best known for her extensive gospel career with the Staples Singers.
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(1939-)
Civil Rights Activist, Singer
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Potter Stewart
Civil Rights Activist, Judge, Government Official / 1915 - 1985
Potter Stewart was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1958 - 1981. He is best known for his contributions to criminal justice reform.
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(1915-1985)
Civil Rights Activist, Judge, Government Official
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Percy Sutton
Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer / 1920 - 2009
Percy Sutton was a Freedom Rider, civil rights activist and prominent African-American lawyer best known for representing Malcolm X.
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(1920-2009)
Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer
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Helen Suzman
Civil Rights Activist, Government Official / 1917 - 2009
Helen Suzman was a white South African legislator who for many years was the only government official speaking out against apartheid measures.
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(1917-2009)
Civil Rights Activist, Government Official
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Helen Taft
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, U.S. First Lady / 1861 - 1943
Helen Taft was a schoolteacher, political adviser and U.S. First Lady who was the wife of President William Howard Taft.
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(1861-1943)
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, U.S. First Lady
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Mary Church Terrell
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist / 1863 - 1954
Mary Church Terrell was a charter member of the NAACP and an early advocate for civil rights and the suffrage movement.
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(1863-1954)
Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist
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William Monroe Trotter
Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur, Journalist / 1872 - 1934
William Monroe Trotter was a Harvard-educated journalist and activist who championed equal rights for African Americans.
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(1872-1934)
Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur, Journalist
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Sojourner Truth
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist / 1797 - 1883
Sojourner Truth is best known for her extemporaneous speech on racial inequalities, "Ain't I a Woman?", delivered at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in 1851.
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(1797-1883)
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist
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Harriet Tubman
Civil Rights Activist / 1820 - 1913
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist. She led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom along the route of the Underground Railroad.
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(1820-1913)
Civil Rights Activist
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Denmark Vesey
Civil Rights Activist / 1767 - 1822
Denmark Vesey was a freed slave who held meetings to organize what would have been the biggest slave revolt in U.S. history.
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(1767-1822)
Civil Rights Activist
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Alice Walker
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Author / 1944 -
Alice Walker is a Pulitzer Prize-winning, African-American novelist and poet most famous for authoring The Color Purple.
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(1944-)
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Author
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David Walker
Civil Rights Activist, Writer / 1785 - 1830
David Walker was an African American abolitionist whose pamphlet was one of the most radical documents of the antislavery movement.
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(1785-1830)
Civil Rights Activist, Writer
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Madam C.J. Walker
Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur / 1867 - 1919
Madam C.J. Walker was the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Her business was worth more than $1 million at the time of her death.
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(1867-1919)
Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur
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Julia Ward Howe
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Songwriter, Poet / 1819 - 1910
Julia Ward Howe was a women's rights activist, abolitionist and writer who penned the poem "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
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(1819-1910)
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Songwriter, Poet
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Robert Penn Warren
Civil Rights Activist, Literary Critic, Poet / 1905 - 1989
American poet Robert Penn Warren was one of the founders of New Criticism and is the only person to have won the Pulitzer Prize for both fiction and poetry.
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(1905-1989)
Civil Rights Activist, Literary Critic, Poet
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Booker T. Washington
Educator, Civil Rights Activist / 1856 - 1915
Educator Booker T. Washington was one of the foremost African-American leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, founding the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, now known as Tuskegee University.
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(1856-1915)
Educator, Civil Rights Activist
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Simone Weil
Educator, Philosopher, Civil Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Journalist / 1909 - 1943
Simone Weil was a French intellectual, activist and Christian Mystic.
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(1909-1943)
Educator, Philosopher, Civil Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Journalist
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Gideon Welles
Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer, Editor, Journalist, Government Official / 1802 - 1878
Gideon Welles was a 19th century journalist and politician who served as secretary of the U.S. Navy under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.
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(1802-1878)
Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer, Editor, Journalist, Government Official
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Ida B. Wells
Civil Rights Activist, Journalist / 1862 - 1931
Ida B. Wells was an African-American journalist and activist who led an anti-lynching crusade in the United States in the 1890s.
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(1862-1931)
Civil Rights Activist, Journalist
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Cornel West
Educator, Philosopher, Scholar, Civil Rights Activist, Academic Author / 1953 -
Cornel West is a scholar of African American studies, and political activist. He published Race Matters in 1993 and appeared in the Matrix sequels.
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(1953-)
Educator, Philosopher, Scholar, Civil Rights Activist, Academic Author
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Walter White
Civil Rights Activist / 1893 - 1955
Walter White became de facto spokesman for African-Americans from his longstanding post with the NAACP.
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(1893-1955)
Civil Rights Activist
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Roy Wilkins
Civil Rights Activist, Editor, Journalist / 1901 - 1981
Roy Wilkins was best known as the executive director of the NAACP and a leader of the African-American civil rights movement.
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(1901-1981)
Civil Rights Activist, Editor, Journalist
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Malcolm X
Civil Rights Activist, Minister / 1925 - 1965
African-American leader and prominent figure in the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X articulated concepts of race pride and black nationalism in the 1950s and '60s.
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(1925-1965)
Civil Rights Activist, Minister
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Andrew Young, Jr
Civil Rights Activist, Diplomat, Mayor, U.S. Representative, Religious Leader / 1932 -
Andrew Young, Jr is a clergyman and was an activist during the civil rights movement. He was also a member of congress and twice elected at the mayor of Atlanta.
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(1932-)
Civil Rights Activist, Diplomat, Mayor, U.S. Representative, Religious Leader
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Coleman Young
Civil Rights Activist, Mayor / 1918 - 1997
Coleman Young helped found the National Negro Labor Council, which sought jobs for African Americans, and was the first African American mayor of Detroit.
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(1918-1997)
Civil Rights Activist, Mayor
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Whitney Young Jr.
Civil Rights Activist / 1921 - 1971
Whitney Young Jr. was the head of the Urban League for 10 years and a lifelong advocate of civil and equal rights.
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(1921-1971)
Civil Rights Activist
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Yitzhak Zuckerman
Civil Rights Activist, Folk Hero / 1915 - 1981
Yitzhak Zuckerman was a hero of Jewish resistance to the Nazis in WWII and one of the few survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
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(1915-1981)
Civil Rights Activist, Folk Hero