Aaron Henry (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aaron Henry
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Henry at the 1964 Democratic National Convention
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| Born | July 2, 1922 |
| Died | May 19, 1997 (aged 74) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Civil rights leader; politician; |
| Known for | Civil Rights Movement; NAACP; Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party |
Aaron Henry (July 2, 1922 – May 19, 1997) was an important American leader. He worked for civil rights, which means equal rights for all people. He was also a politician and led the Mississippi branch of the NAACP. The NAACP is a group that fights for fairness for African Americans. Aaron Henry also helped start the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. This party tried to get their own group of delegates to the 1964 Democratic National Convention.
Contents
Early Life and Early Activism
Aaron Henry was born in Dublin, Mississippi. His parents, Ed and Mattie Henry, were sharecroppers. This meant they farmed land owned by someone else. As a child, he worked on a large farm near Clarksdale. He did not like growing cotton because it was very hard work. He also saw the difficulties it caused for African Americans.
His parents believed education was very important. So, Aaron went to the all-black Coahoma County Agricultural High School. After high school, he worked at a motel to save money for college. But he decided to join the Army instead.
Discovering Discrimination
Aaron Henry spent three years in the army. During this time, he saw a lot of racial discrimination and segregation. This meant people were treated unfairly because of their race. He told Robert Penn Warren about these experiences for a book. He realized that segregation was even worse back home in Mississippi.
He decided to work for equality and justice for black Americans. He wanted to do this as soon as he returned home after the war. When he came back to Clarksdale in 1946, a group called the Progressive Voters' League had formed. They wanted to make sure everyone could vote.
Fighting for the Right to Vote
As a veteran, Aaron Henry learned that Mississippi had a special rule. Veterans did not have to pay a poll tax to vote. A poll tax was a fee people had to pay to vote. He tried to get black Mississippians to register to vote. But many non-white veterans were not allowed to register.
When Henry went to register, he was also turned away. The clerk asked him for a certificate to show he was free from the poll tax. Even with the certificate, the clerk said he needed to pass tests. He finally registered after reading parts of the state constitution.
Education and Business
Aaron Henry used the G.I. Bill to go to college. This law helped World War II veterans get an education. He studied pharmacy at Xavier University. In 1950, he graduated with a degree in pharmacy. He then married Noelle Michael and opened his own pharmacy business.
As a businessman in Clarksdale, he became involved in local activities. He especially focused on helping African Americans register to vote.
Joining the NAACP
W.A. Higgins, a school principal and NAACP member, suggested that Henry join the NAACP. The national NAACP office encouraged them to start a local branch. In 1959, Aaron Henry was elected president of the Mississippi NAACP. He served in this role for many decades.
He became good friends with Medgar Evers, who worked for the NAACP. Medgar Evers was sadly killed in 1963. This event had a big impact on Aaron Henry.
Regional Council of Negro Leadership
In 1951, Aaron Henry helped start the Regional Council of Negro Leadership (RCNL). The main leader of this group was Dr. T.R.M. Howard. He was a well-known black surgeon and businessman. The RCNL was based in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, an all-black town.
The RCNL worked to promote civil rights and voting rights. They also encouraged self-help and black-owned businesses. They wanted to reach many people by working with trusted black leaders. Henry led the RCNL's committee on "Separate but equal." This committee focused on making sure facilities were truly "equal" if they were separate.
RCNL Campaigns
Other important members of the RCNL included Amzie Moore and Medgar Evers. Henry helped the RCNL boycott gas stations that did not have restrooms for black people. As part of this effort, they gave out many bumper stickers. The slogan was: "Don't Buy Gas Where You Can't Use the Rest Room."
Starting in 1953, the RCNL directly challenged "separate but equal" rules. They demanded that schools be integrated, meaning black and white students could attend together. Henry attended the RCNL's yearly meetings in Mound Bayou. These meetings often drew crowds of over ten thousand people.
Aaron Henry often faced challenges because of his activism. He was arrested many times in Clarksdale.
Civil Rights Movement Activism
Aaron Henry stayed active in the RCNL until the early 1960s. He also joined the Mississippi NAACP in 1954. He became the state president in 1959. He helped create the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP). He also started the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO).
In 1961, he organized a boycott of stores in Clarksdale. These stores treated African American customers and employees unfairly. He also led groups of Loyalist Democrats to the 1968 and 1972 Democratic National Conventions.
Freedom Vote Campaign
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In 1962, Aaron Henry was president of COFO. He helped organize the Freedom Vote. This was a practice election for the state governor in November 1963. Henry worked with Allard K. Lowenstein on this campaign. They wanted to show that black voters would vote if given the chance.
In this practice election, Henry ran for governor. Edwin King, a white minister, ran for lieutenant governor. They worked with Bob Moses to manage the campaign. They wanted to show that the real candidates ignored the power of black voters.
Student Volunteers and Success
Henry and King needed help because they were new to politics. Joe Lieberman, a student editor, came to Mississippi to report on civil rights groups. He found the Freedom Vote Campaign interesting. He told students at Yale and other universities about the need for help.
Soon, students from Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, and Fordham came to help. Their involvement helped the campaign get noticed. It was reported in a newspaper called "The Free Press." Ballot boxes were placed in churches, businesses, and homes. Voting happened over a whole weekend.
Even with some arrests, the campaign was a big success. More than eighty thousand people participated. It showed that African Americans were eager to vote. This campaign also encouraged plans for the "Freedom Summer" in 1964. After this, Henry helped create the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. This party worked to address civil rights issues in Mississippi.
Later Life
Aaron Henry was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1982. He held this position until 1996. He passed away in 1997 from heart failure. He died at a hospital near his home in Clarksdale after having a stroke.
