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She was born in 1939 in Bennettsville, South Carolina where her father was instrumental in encouraging her to continue her education. And she did. She went to Spelman College, as well as Yale. Her academic achievements awarded her a scholarship that took her to France, Switzerland and Russia.
As soon as Marian Wright Edelman arrived home in the 1960s,
she plunged into the Civil Rights Movement. That got her arrested, which spurred her to go to Yale and study law.
She took that education and became the first African American woman to be admitted to the Mississippi Bar, and she went to work with the NAACP Legal Defense and
Educational Fund in Mississippi where she focused on the racial issues of the
1960s.
She was elected as the first Black woman on the board of
trustees at Yale, and she was influential with Martin Luther King, Jr. and
Hillary Clinton.
She met and married Peter Edelman in 1967. He was the
assistant to Robert F. Kennedy.
Marian was the mother of three children, but three was not
enough for her. She founded the Children’s Defense Fund in 1973, so she could
be a voice for poor and disabled children. She worked to get congress to overhaul
the foster care system and advocated for youth pregnancy prevention.
She is the author of numerous books and many have a focus on
the importance of children’s rights.
The Edelman children have gone on to advance their mother’s
cause. One is an educational administrator; one is an education advocate and
founded Stand for Children, and one is an Academy Award winning documentary producer
who got his award for O.J.: Made in
America.
Marian’s words should ring louder today than at any other
time: “We must reject any leaders who for any reason play political football with
our children’s lives and our nation’s future."
Here are some great gift ideas for your Mom, Grandmom, Auntie and anyone else you honor as Mother from some very talented handmade artists.
Hearts And Swirls Wood Wall Art Handmade From Oak Wood
Vintage Rose Flower Gift Tags – Set of 12
Artisan Lampwork Floral Heart Pendant Necklace Onyx Glass Beads w Crystals
Pink Copper Bronze Heart Earrings
Sacred Heart Catholic Church 8x10 or 11 x 15 watercolor print Tampa Florida Historic print
Crystal Heart Earrings
Love My Dogs Necklace, Ceramic Fluorite Amethyst Dog Handmade Jewelry
Dark Red and Pink Crystal Heart Earrings With Sterling Silver Ear Wires
Red Heart Earrings for Women Dangle with Silvertone Leverback
