| The NAACP is a civil rights
organization in the U.S. that works to end discrimination against blacks and other
minority groups. It was founded in 1909 by 60 black and white individuals, and, in 1910,
it began to publish a magazine, "Crisis". The publication featured blacks
who had achieved prominence and success in the arts, business, and other fields. During the first 30 years of its existence, the association fought against unjust legal penalties, job discrimination, violence, and for the passage and enforcement of anti-lynching laws. During World War II (1939-1945) it focused on achieving equal rights for blacks in the military, and more job opportunities for black civilians. After the war, the association renewed its long struggle against the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that upheld a policy of "separate but equal" public facilities for blacks and whites. The decision provided the basis for official segregation mandates that continued into the second half of the 20th century. Some of the NAACP’s successes include: Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 (protects the right to vote), Civil Rights Act of 1964 (embraced equal opportunity employment), and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (protects voter registration). In successive years, the association has worked to strengthen these acts and reach a variety of educational goals for its young people. The group seeks to reduce the number of students who drop out of school, encouraging and rewarding academic, scientific, and artistic excellence among black students. The NAACP’s income for its multitude of activities comes from membership fees paid by its more than 400,000 members, approximately 700 youth councils, and from private donations. Its headquarters are in Baltimore, Maryland, and its legislative bureau is in Washington, D.C. In the early 1960s, Frank O’Leary, a Monarch executive, began to explore the possibility of organizing a local chapter of the NAACP. Determined to succeed, he consulted with area residents (blacks and whites), analyzing support and forming a charter committee. The Sidney branch chapter of the NAACP became a reality in 1965 with Carl King serving as its first president. James H. Daniel of Sidney is its current president. After soliciting the 50 NAACP members that were required, an election was held. The founding officers, in addition to King, were Rufus Sims, Harrison Brown, James Daniel, and Lucille King. The organization’s initial mission was an attack on workplace discrimination that existed within some Shelby County industries which paralleled the subtle hiring practices evident throughout the country during this time period. Legal actions were taken and some progress secured. Unfortunately, due to a lack of membership renewals, the group relinquished its charter. In 1971, the chapter was reorganized and its boundaries were extended to cover the entire counties of Shelby, Miami, and Logan, The resurgent group was renamed the Ohio Tri-County NAACP, and to its struggle against discrimination in hiring, were added court room and unfair housing practices. [Back] [Next] [Up] [New Search] 'Black History' segment written in June, 1998 by David Lodge |