Alberta Odell Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alberta Odell Jones
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| Born | November 12, 1930 |
| Died | August 5, 1965 (aged 34) Louisville, Kentucky
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Louisville Municipal College Howard University School of Law |
| Occupation | Attorney, Activist |
Alberta Odell Jones (born November 12, 1930 – died August 5, 1965) was an amazing African-American lawyer and a hero for civil rights. She was one of the first African-American women to become a lawyer in Kentucky. She was also the first woman to be named a city attorney in Jefferson County. Her life ended suddenly at a young age.
Education and Early Career
Alberta Jones went to Louisville Central High School. After that, she attended the Louisville Municipal College (LMC). This college later joined with the University of Louisville when schools became desegregated. Alberta was a top student, graduating third in her class.
She studied law at the University of Louisville Law School for one year. Then she transferred to Howard University School of Law to finish her degree. She graduated fourth in her class there.
After becoming a lawyer, she started her own practice. Early in her career, she had a famous client. This was a young boxer named Cassius Clay. He later became known as Muhammad Ali. Alberta Jones even introduced him to a boxing trainer named Archie Moore.
In February 1965, she was appointed to the Louisville Domestic Relations Court. In this role, she worked as a prosecutor. This meant she helped bring legal cases against people.
Fighting for Rights
Alberta Jones was very active in the civil rights movement. This movement worked to gain equal rights for all people. She took part in protest marches in Louisville. She also attended the famous March on Washington in August 1963.
When she came back from Washington, she started a group called the Independent Voters Association of Louisville. She was also very involved with the Louisville chapter of the Urban League. This group helped African Americans find jobs and housing.
Alberta Jones worked hard to help people vote. She rented voting machines and taught African Americans how to use them. She was also active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This group fought for civil rights through legal action.
She also helped a young man named James "Bulky" Welch. He lost his arms saving his dog from a train. Alberta Jones helped raise money to buy him special prosthetic arms. She even auctioned off a car to help pay for them.eople from Louisville, Kentucky]]
