Roy Wilkins
(1901-1981)

African-American Civil Rights Leader
Headed N.A.A.C.P for 22 years

1969 Presidential Medal of Freedom
1984 Congressional Gold Medal

birthdate: August 30
birthplace:
St. Louis, Missouri

Roy Wilkins was a leader in the civil rights movement for four decades. He is best remembered as head of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) for 22 years. In 1950, he and two other civil rights giants, A. Philip Randolph and Arnold Aronson, founded the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. This coalition has helped to champion every major national civil rights law in America since the 1950s. In 1968, Roy Wilkins was chosen to chair the US delegation to the first International Conference on Human Rights in Tehran, Iran. During the turbulent 60s, Roy Wilkins strongly advocated against the use of violence to bring about social change. He also clashed with other civil rights leaders of his time who argued for Black Power. They wanted African Americans to form their own all black organizations and completely reject mainstream American society, but Wilkins thought this was reverse racism. For a lifetime of working for equal rights for all, Roy Wilkins received many awards and accolades including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

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